Jackson Free Press

Attorneys for Ablene Cooper claim Kathryn Stockett used their client's name and image without permission in "The Help." Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green threw out her case this morning, however, saying Cooper did not file her complaint against the author within a one-year statute of limitations. Cooper's attorneys say they will appeal Green's decision.

Cooper, 60, is a former maid for Stockett's brother, Robert, and a Jackson resident. She filed a complaint against Stockett citing emotional distress and seeks $75,000 in damages. Cooper claims "The Help" character, Aibileen, is her.

"The Help" was published Feb. 10, 2009, and Cooper filed her complaint Feb. 9, 2011. In Mississippi, Cooper had a year after the book's publication to file her suit.

"She didn't know (Stockett) would write these things and clearly misrepresent her in the book," Cooper's attorney Edward Sanders said after the hearing this morning. "That is very disturbing--that she would do this to someone who takes care of her own nieces and nephews."

"There's a line in 'The Help': 'You're an ungodly woman.' Maybe Stockett should think about that," Sanders added.

Stockett was not present at the hearing this morning but her attorney, Fred Banks, said that Cooper had enough time to file her complaint within the statue of limitations because she had obtained a copy of the book one year prior to its publication.

In the book's afterword, Stockett wrote that the book is a work of fiction but it is inspired by true stories.

Amy Einhorn, vice president and publisher of Penguin Group USA, defended the book earlier this year.

"This is a beautifully written work of fiction, and we don't think there is any basis to the legal claims," Einhorn said a February press statement.

Read/join a local discussion about "The Help" here.

Previous Comments

ID

164535

Comment

Ambulance chaser calling out someone for being ungodly? Just my opinion. Greed abounds in this day and time.

Author

wataworld

Date

2011-08-16T13:16:52-06:00

ID

164560

Comment

Selika, "The Help" is a novel, not a news report. It's fiction.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2011-08-17T08:10:54-06:00

ID

164561

Comment

Ronni, that is true, but it does not negate Selika's point. As I write about in my editor's note today, out later, "The Help" has joined a small handful of films ("Mississippi Burning," "Ghosts of Mississippi," even "Blind Side") that are defining the black freedom struggling in the South for many, if not most, Americans. As a result, it would be nice to get facts like that right. Certainly, it does fit into the easy narrative to believe that no blacks owned land or were landlords then, but it does no service to African Americans.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-08-17T08:24:39-06:00