A moneyseeker woman by the name of Susan Hassett has filed a lawsuit against View co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck claiming that she completely stole the idea for her new book from a copy of her own book she sent the host back in 2008.
EH’s new book, The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide, hit the shelves last month, but Hassett says it’s too similar to her book, Living with Celiac Disease.
In the lawsuit, Hasset claims that along with the book she sent Hasselbeck a homemade cooking video, a personal note, a newspaper article and a business card. (Nothing like a packet that screams “let me come on the view please.”
Hasselbeck most recenently found out that she was living with Celiac disease, which prompted her to write the book.
Suing someone over a cook book? You can’t just copyright chocolate chip cookies, because you make them with or without a certain ingredient.
At least Hasset is getting all the attention she wanted now!
Hasset’s case looks legit. A search of the US Copyright Office records, reveals that Susan Hassett registered the copyright to “Living With Celiac Disease” on March 14, 2008, the month before Hassett says she sent the book to Hasselbeck.
wow, way to jump behind Hasselbeck without knowing any of the facts.
Do you know it was a recipe, and not research about Celiac Disease that was copied word for word?
It wasn’t too difficult to tell your real feelings with your strikeout in the first sentence. The fact is, Susan Hassett wrote a book, self published it, then sent a courtesy copy to the QB’s wife when she learned she had the disease as well. Whether she wanted to get on the show to promote it is irrelevant. PLUS, your god damn website is all about people promoting themselves and their talent, or lack thereof. Why are you giving her shit for trying to promote it?
Anyway, plagiarism IS against the law. I don’t have a copy of either book and don’t know if she is guilty of it or not. This will be settled in court, if not before– and if Hassett wins, she will deserve whatever compensation is awarded for Hasselbecks thievery.
Um, the correct name is GLAAD….The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Get GLAD by joing GLAAD! And Perez Hilton is a pig and a disgrace to all humans, not just gay people.
…and why shouldn’t she seek damages for plagiarism? According to court papers, Ms H. copied significant passages “verbatim” from the cookbook, not recipes per se. I also see nothing wrong in sending a business card along with the book. This is called publicity and all authors are encouraged to seek it. What they don’t need it some snippy chick taking advantage of the fact she is better known and getting a publishing contract on their hard work. This is why plagiarism laws are in effect. I hope Susan Hassett wins.