Judge Rebukes Freeman and Counsel in Copyright Fee Dispute
In the Freeman-Wolff copyright case, Judge Colleen McMahon criticized Lynne Freeman and her lawyers for prolonging the proceedings. The judge said she did not believe Freeman's counsel was acting in good faith and expressed frustration at the delays. The filing responds to months of arguments over whether Freeman can pay the defendants' legal fees, after McMahon ruled in July that Freeman must cover all attorney fees for Entangled.
The dispute centers on the Freeman-Wolff copyright case, where Judge Colleen McMahon has already ordered Lynne Freeman to cover all attorney fees for Entangled. That July ruling set the stage for later filings about whether Freeman can actually pay the defendants' legal costs.
In a September 25, 2026 filing, McMahon responded to several months of arguments by criticizing Freeman and her lawyers for extending the matter. She said she did not find good faith from Freeman's counsel and expressed frustration over the delays. The item was filed under Legal.
This fee dispute may affect authors, publishers, and lawyers involved in copyright cases. A ruling that requires a plaintiff to pay opposing counsel could discourage some creators from pursuing uncertain claims, while attorneys may face more pressure to avoid delays. It could also signal that courts may scrutinize prolonged publishing litigation, potentially influencing how future cases are funded and defended.