Director of 'The Secret' Files Copyright Lawsuit

Profits generated by popular product line subject of federal lawsuit

CHICAGO, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Secret," a motivational movie and
book based on the "Law of Attraction," has spawned a worldwide phenomenon of
DVD and book sales. Now, "The Secret" has prompted a lawsuit from the film's
co-creator, Drew Heriot, who says he was denied profits from sales and is
entitled to compensation.
Attorneys for Mr. Heriot, who co-authored the screenplay and directed "The
Secret" movie, filed the federal lawsuit last week in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois/Eastern Division.
"To all who have been inspired by 'The Secret,' please know that I am not
suing the universal principles of 'The Secret'" says Mr. Heriot. "Rather, I am
suing the corporate principals behind 'The Secret,' who promised at the outset
that profits would be shared, and who have not kept faith with 'The Secret's'
tenets of gratitude and integrity."
The lawsuit alleges that Rhonda Byrne, executive producer of "The Secret,"
and Robert E. Rainone Jr., a Chicago businessman, conspired to deny
Mr. Heriot's rights to co-ownership and profits from the movie and related
works through a maze of U.S. and foreign-based companies. It is estimated that
the combined gross revenue from DVD and book sales of "The Secret" currently
exceeds $300 million.
"Although Rhonda Byrne has repeatedly claimed to be the sole creator of
'The Secret' and associated works, we have evidence that she and Drew Heriot
collaborated and shared source materials to produce the original film and
book," says Mr. Heriot's attorney Mark Werbner of the Dallas-based trial firm
Sayles Werbner. "'The Secret' franchise would never have existed if it weren't
for Drew, and all he's asking is to be compensated for his work and creative
contributions."
Originally released in March of 2006 for DVD and online sales, "The
Secret" uses a documentary format of interviews and dramatized sequences to
present what is called the "Law of Attraction." Embraced by many self-help
experts and the subject of extensive media coverage, the film teaches that
thoughts and feelings attract real events into individuals' lives, creating a
basis for a higher sense of personal and spiritual fulfillment.
"As Director, Drew gave 'The Secret' its distinctive approach and style.
He created the structure and order for the film, conducted the vast majority
of those interviews, worked for months on the screenplay, directed the most
important dramatic scenes and supervised the editing and post production,"
says Mr. Werbner. "The book is essentially a transcript of the movie. Drew's
pivotal role and ownership rights in these materials should be upheld, and we
look forward to our day in court."
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that, as co-author and copyright holder,
Mr. Heriot has a right to a full accounting of proceeds from all creative
forms of "The Secret," as well as a percentage of those profits. The lawsuit
also seeks financial compensation to Mr. Heriot for copyright infringement and
unjust enrichment on the part of Ms. Byrne and other defendants.
Sayles Werbner has an international reputation as a "go to" trial law firm
in multifaceted business litigation, intellectual property, life-altering
personal injury cases, product safety lawsuits and other areas of the law.
More information about the firm can be found at http://www.swtriallaw.com.
To interview attorney Mark Werbner about "The Secret" lawsuit, please
contact Bruce Vincent at 214.559.4630, toll free 800.559.4534, cell
214.728.6747, or e-mail bruce@androvett.com.
SOURCE Sayles Werbner

Bruce Vincent, +1-214-559-4630, toll free, 1-800-559-4534, cell,
+1-214-728-6747, bruce@androvett.com, for Sayles Werbner