Five Percent Of Profits From 'Ben Hur'|Demanded From William Wyler's Heirs

LOS ANGELES (CN) – Heirs of movie director William Wyler refuse to pay a business management firm its 5 percent share of the money from the 1958 film “Ben Hur,” in defiance of a court order, A. Morgan Maree Jr. & Associates claims in Superior Court.     Maree claims that Wyler signed a contract in 1958promising it the 5 percent share. Wyler included “himself, his heirs, his executors, and assigns” as responsible parties, the complaint states.      When Wyler died in 1981, his heirs inherited responsibility for the payments, Maree claims. In 2002, Maree says, it settled its first lawsuit against Wyler’s heirs. It claims the heirs agreed to pay up, but have let the payments lapse again over the past four years.     Maree demands accounting, damages, interest, and attorney fees. It is represented by lead counsel Robertson & Lum.

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