Monty Python stars lose Spamalot legal battle

A film producer won a British High Court fight today over royalties from Monty Python stage-show Spamalot.

Monty Python stars lose Spamalot legal battle

A film producer won a British High Court fight today over royalties from Monty Python stage-show Spamalot.

Mark Forstater, who produced the 1975 film 'Monty Python And The Holy Grail', claimed a share of profits from the spin-off musical at a trial in London.

Three Python stars – Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones – gave evidence at the trial, which began in November and ended in January.

Judge Mr Justice Norris ruled today in favour of Mr Forstater.

After the victory, Mr Forstater said: ``I have always been adamant I was correct. I have been proved right - justice has prevailed.''

He added: “There is a sadness though about having to face people who were my friends in court.

“We have been friends for a long time.

“Monty Python are an institution. I like the fact that they have apparently joked about the litigation.

“I still think they are very funny.”

He estimated he was entitled to more than £200,000 but he said the final figures would be worked out at later hearings.

Mr Forstater had argued that for ''financial purposes'' he should be treated as ''the seventh Python''.

Palin, Jones and Idle – who formed the comedy outfit with John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Graham Chapman more than 40 years ago – disagreed.

Idle said the suggestion that Mr Forstater was a ”seventh Python” was laughable.

Palin said Mr Forstater was ”not part of our team”.

And Jones said Mr Forstater had ”done jolly well” out of his involvement with Monty Python.

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