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LONDON, Oct 27, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The authors of a 1982 non-fiction book about Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene claim Dan Brown stole their idea for his bestseller, "The Da Vinci Code."
A Feb. 27 trial was set Thursday for the suit against Random House filed by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, the authors of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail," the BBC reported.
Their book recently reissued by Random House examines the theory Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had a child, so their blood line continues today, the BBC said.
The authors claim Brown's similar book is "theft of intellectual property." Random House denies the charge.
The third author of the collaboration, Henry Lincoln, is not participating in the lawsuit because of ill health, the BBC said.
Director Ron Howard is filming the screen version of "The Da Vinci Code," which stars Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2005 by United Press International
