Can Meghan the Duchess of Sussex Settle Her Court Case Against Associated Newspapers?

When a high-profile individual like Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, decides to take action against a media outlet, the question often arises: can she settle the case before it reaches a critical juncture? In the case against the Mail on Sunday, the answer is a resounding yes. However, will she do it? The answer is more complex.

Why Meghan May Not Settle the Case

Despite the possibility of settling the case, Meghan has no inclination to do so. Why? The evidence against the newspaper in her possession is overwhelmingly strong. The case is not about Meghan abandoning her father; it is about the Mail on Sunday misrepresenting her stance and actions. The recent media frenzy surrounding the news that Meghan contacted a friend who had already been interviewed by Omid Scobie to correct a false claim did not influence her decision to press forward with the case.

Meghan's Legal Team and Their Statement

Meghan's legal team has provided a detailed statement to clarify the situation. According to her legal team:

"Meghan was concerned that her father’s narrative in the media, which falsely claimed she had abandoned him and had not even tried to contact him, would be repeated. This was false. In fact, she had made several attempts to contact him, including writing a letter to persuade him to stop dealing with the media. He had responded, but the misrepresentation continued."

The key points here are that the information was false, and Meghan took steps to correct it, highlighting her attempt to resolve issues with her father, not abandon him.

Copyright and Public Domain

The crux of the Meghan v. Mail on Sunday legal battle revolves around several critical questions:

Did Meghan have copyright to the letter? Yes, she wrote the letter, even if she received assistance from others. Copyright law allows for collaborative works, but the primary author retains copyright.Did Meghan give the copyright to the Mail on Sunday? No, as there is no evidence or documentation of such a transfer.Was the letter in the public domain? No, even the mention that a letter existed to a friend and publication in People Magazine is not sufficient to enter it into the public domain.Was the publication in the public interest? No, the public interest does not equate to public curiosity or prurience. The Mail on Sunday published the information in a manner that violated copyright and privacy laws.

The Case and Its Outcome

If Meghan answers yes to the first question and no to the other three, she will have a clear path to victory. She intends to sue the Mail on Sunday to "smithereens," ensuring that the media outlet is held accountable for its violations of copyright and privacy.

The Excerpt from the Biographical Release

For those interested in the exact text of the letter, here it is in full:

"Daddy, it is with a heavy heart that I write this. Not understanding why you have chosen to take this path, turning a blind eye to the pain you’re causing. Your actions have broken my heart into a million pieces. Not simply because you have manufactured such unnecessary and unwarranted pain, but by making the choice to not tell the truth as you are puppeteered in this. Something I will never understand. If you love me, as you tell the press you do, please stop. Please allow us to live our lives in peace. Please stop lying, please stop creating so much pain, please stop exploiting my relationship with my husband."

This excerpt is merely a reproduction of the letter published by the biography, and its inclusion does not affect the legal case.

Regardless of the outcome, the case highlights the importance of copyright law and the protection of individuals' rights in the digital age.