Angelina Jolie Sued For Copyright Infringement Over New Film

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Just weeks before Angelina Jolie is scheduled to release her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey, the actress/filmmaker has been sued by Croatian journalistJames Braddock, who claims the forthcoming movie about a love affair during theBosnian Civil War violates his copyright on a book, The Soul Shattering.our editor recommendsAngelina Jolie Discusses 'Dark Past' on '60 Minutes' (Video)Angelina Jolie Eyes Iraq Pioneer Biopic 'Gertrude Bell' for Ridley Scott (Exclusive)Angelina Jolie Signs with Talent AgencyAngelina Jolie's 'In The Land of Blood & Honey' Trailer Released Braddock is demanding statutory damages plus an injunction against the film's release. Jolie isa goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and she certainly travels far and wide promoting humanitarian causes, but what is the likelihood she had seen Braddock's original book, which was published in Croatian in 2007? According to Braddock's lawsuit, the key figure might be an individual named Edin Sarkic, a co-defendant in the lawsuit who served as one of the film's producers and has been credited in the press with helping Jolie attain the necessary permits to film inSarajevo. PHOTOS: Hollywood's 10 Highest-Paid Actresses Braddock claims that after publishing his book in 2007, he traveled to Sarajevo to promote his work and create awareness for Bosnian war victims. There, he says he was allegedly approached by Sarkic, who told Braddock that he read The Soul Shattering and wanted to meet to discuss the book in further detail. Braddock and Sarkic allegedly met three more times in 2008 to discuss details about the book, "including plot and character development and the story's cultural significance and historical accuracy." The discussions are said to have evolved into the possibility of creating a film adaptation of the book. The two kept in touch over telephone and text messages over the next two years. Braddock also says he e-mailed an individual at one of Jolie's charities to propose a collaboration on a project to build villages across Sarajevo and New Orleans. VIDEO: Angelina Jolie Reveals Past Aspirations to Become Funeral Director Then, Braddock says he learned of Jolie's movie. He details some of the similarities, including the backdrop of war-torn Bosnia and Herzogovina in the early 1990s, a main female character who is captured and imprisoned and raped by soldiers, and a Serbian camp commander who falls in love with the woman and helps her escape. VIDEO: Angelina Jolie Reveals Inspiration Behind Her Directorial Debut, 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' It'll be up to a judge to determine whether the claimed "obvious" similarities meet the high threshold needed to prove copyright infringement. Braddock's lawyer, Kelly Saindon, will have to demonstrate substantial similarity in expression, not merely the use of unprotectable ideas. Besides Jolie and Sarkic, the other defendants areGK Films, FilmDistrict, and Scout Film. The film is scheduled to be released on December 23. Here's the complaint: E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery I'm Quitting the Biz: 16 Hollywood Retirements (and 'Retirements') Angelina Jolie In the Land of Blood and Honey