Sequel to Catcher in the Rye ‘banned in US’ over copyright dispute

LONDON - A book billed as the sequel to JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye has been banned from release in the US over copyright dispute.

According to Publishers Weekly Swedish author Fredrik Colting reached a settlement with Salinger’s estate to end a lengthy copyright dispute over his book titled 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye, reports the BBC.

And as part of the deal, the book cannot be published in the US or Canada. But it can be sold in other countries and Colting must also stop calling the title.

Prior to his death one year ago, Salinger had taken legal action against Colting, who wrote his work under the pseudonym John David California.

According to the late author’s lawyers, the book - published in the UK in June 2009 - was “a rip-off, pure and simple”.

The Swedish author claimed his book - which features a character based on Salinger’s anti-hero Holden Caulfield - was a literary commentary and not a sequel.

But a US judge blocked its publication in North America, saying it mirrored Salinger’s original too closely.

Under the terms of the deal, Colting is forbidden from dedicating the book to Salinger.

It also prohibits him or any publisher of the book from referring to The Catcher in the Rye or Salinger.

They are also prevented from using the copyright claim or Salinger’s so-called “ban” to promote the work. (ANI)