"Consult a lawyer, then use that info to negotiate with Richardson."

Doing what is right and good and maintains personal integrity, I'd agree with
this advice. It does seem like the honourable thing -- "hey, I know what
kind of case I have, but what say you and I just work this out together..."

Real world? Dangerous advice. Never negotiate without a lawyer.

***

Very true. If the lawyer thinks you have a case have him write a letter. Most people avoid lawyers, but a letter from a lawyer can work wonders.

However, I still think it was coinincidence and so I'd see if there would be some sort of deal we could work out. Heck, maybe just ride it for some publicity.

DH had interest in Living with the Dead and asked for a full treatment and then after they're not interested.

****

That's not the way I took it. I took it an editor, acting on his own, expressed interest in the book and the gave him the info. Don't forget, editors are always trying to find the next big thing.

I know it's kind of splitting hairs, but I think it's an important distintion, if DH was interested or this was just an editor on the prowl for something new.

Editors are always looking at indy books for new talent. If DH gets sued over this it could have a chilling effect on that and that would hurt indy comics.

Ask any wanna be writer how hard it is to break into comics. And it all goes back to DC getting sued over a script they got sent.

Now DC won't look at anything unsolicited and NOBODY will read a script. 

Scott wrote: ...Now DC won't look at anything unsolicited and NOBODY will read a script...

An associate editor working for Dark Horse comics solicited Matthew Billman about "Living With Zombies" because that editor was considering publishing it for Dark Horse.

The editor was acting on behalf of Dark Horse. That is part of his job: To find books to publish FOR Dark Horse.

Are you suggesting that the editor was using company time to look for books to publish by himself? If so, then he misrepresented himself, as he clearly contacted Billman as a representative of Dark Horse Comics. This was not the case, I'm sure, but that seems to be what you're putting forth, Scott.

(BTW, Sam had the titles backwards in his post, which kind of adds to the point about how similar the book titles and concepts are, though.)

The editor was acting on behalf of Dark Horse.

As we say in Sweden, why talk to the ass when you can talk to the head.

Lars, once again, the Dark Horse Associate Editor, Mike  Dark Horse Associate Editor, Mike Carriglitto , contacted Matthew Billman, NOT the other way around, about publsihing "Living With Zombies."

Dark Horse, through Carriglitto, initiated the contact between Dark Horse and Billman. This is even stated by Mike Richardson in his reponse on CBR.