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THP authors threaten legal action

20.03.08 Tom Tivnan

Ten authors involved in the long-running dispute with The History Press (THP) have approached a solicitor to help reclaim unpaid royalties. David Royden, partner at Laytons Solicitors, said that although some author royalties have trickled out from THP—the group created from the ashes of Alan Sutton’s NPI Media Group—his clients have not been paid at all.

Royden claimed that THP was obliged, even after administration, to continue with royalty payments. He said: “Clearly if you take on the benefits of the contracts, you have to take on the liabilities.”

THP c.e.o. Tony Morris said he had not been approached by any lawyers but “would be happy to explain our position to them”. He added: “We are making royalty payments every day and remain committed to paying all the royalties owed by NPI.”

Royden said he would ask to look at THP’s accounts before beginning any court action: “It may be a case of administration problems, it may be a case of cash-flow problems, but what needs to be ascertained is why the royalties aren’t being paid.”

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Comments on this article

By staff redundancies

The History Press are also making 25% of it's staff redundant. The long-suffering staff are being treated very badly in this situation. Generally, given the constant changes, financial problems, staff reductions, will The History Press be consigned to the 'history' pile itself? Only Mr Morris knows.

20 Mar 08 13:23

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By It's about time

I've spoken to Mr Royden over my four figure unpaid royalties. I'm happy to take legal action against THP - they've shown no sign of paying any money to any other author I know. The field I write in is not large and we authors tend to know each other. If royalties have been going out every day, then why has no-one that I know received any? That includes people with books by at least two or three of the History Press imprints.
Comment edited, 20th March 2008

20 Mar 08 14:37

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By To Let says the sign in front of the THP offices

To Let says the sign in front of the THP offices. Looks like the History Press is moving - have just driven past their offices to see a big To Let sign up. Down-sizing the staff, down-sizing the office, down-sizing everything but the bosses' pay packets I bet and it's all being done on the backs of long-suffering authors and staff. I'm not sure the staff will be having a good Easter.

20 Mar 08 15:12

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