James Franco settles Bukowski film suit

Actor James Franco has settled a copyright suit filed against him over his plans to make a Charles Bukowski biopic.

Cyril Humphris claimed Franco's project infringed the film rights to Bukowski's semi-autobiographical novel, Ham on Rye, which he claimed to own.

Franco argued that although he was a fan of Ham on Rye, his film would not be based on the book.

The legal battle hit a California federal court in April (14), when Humphris claimed he had entered into a deal with Franco in 2009 to allow the 127 Hours star to develop a film based on the novel, but that the rights to the film had terminated by the end of 2010.

It looked like the actor/director would have to argue for his project in court, but on Wednesday (29Oct14) both parties submitted paperwork to dismiss the case with prejudice, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The terms of the settlement are confidential.