Don't call it a Hobbit house! Tolkien lawyers threaten couple over campsite advert
- Jan and Ed Lengyel threatened with legal action by the Tolkien Estate
- Pair planned to create a habitable 'hobbit hole' at their Suffolk campsite
- Banned from even using words that rhyme with hobbit by Tolkein Estate
- Couple describe the threats of legal action as 'corporate greed at its worst'
The Tolkien estate are threatening a couple with legal action over their plans to offer a luxury glamping experience in a 'poddit hole' in 'Centre Earth'.
Jan and Ed Lengyel have been warned they could be in breach of copyright and trademarks for even using words which rhyme with hobbit.
The pair hope to create a habitable hobbit hole so Tolkien fans can live their dreams in the Suffolk countryside.
An artists impression of the 'poddit hole' that Jan and Ed Lengyel hope to build at their glamping site in Suffolk
The Tolkien Estate is threatening the couple with legal action over breach of copyright and trademarks. Pictured: A hand-drawn artist's impression of the 'poddit hole'
But when they launched a fundraising page for the sustainable development project they received a flurry of legal threats.
They renamed the hobbit hole 'Poddit Hole' and said it would be in 'Centre Earth' but have been told those names will have to go.
Lawyers representing the Tolkien estate, Middle Earth Enterprises which owns worldwide rights to the works, and film giants Warner Brothers have protested.
Share this article
The Tolkien Estate is challenging the project and threatening legal action unless they remove the phrases 'Poddit Hole', 'Centre-Earth' and anything rhyming with 'hobbit'.
They have also been told to remove all references to the famous Middle-Earth books and films from their online crowdfunding page on Kickstarter.
Jan and Ed Lengyel have secured planning permission for the site near Cambridge
Warner Brothers and Middle Earth Enterprises even contacted Kickstarter to have the funding page taken down without consulting the couple.
The couple, both 53, who run the West Stow Pods campsite near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said the heavy-handed threats were 'corporate greed at its worst'.
'We are not trying to damage their brand or do anything offensive and there's a lot of local and national interest in the project,' said Mrs Lengyel.
'It's a good platform for them.
'The project is unique here, we are within a mile of an Anglo Saxon village so what we have is a unique opportunity to create something special.'
Last week they received a six-page legal document from the solicitors of the Tolkien Estate rejecting their attempt to licence the project or pay for the rights.
It also states the couple cannot use the word 'authentic' about their 'Poddit Hole'.
The Tolkien Estate is managed by JRR Tolkien's son Christopher and is the trademark and copyright owner of Tolkien's work and intellectual property.
Maier Blackburn - the company's lawyers - argue the Lengyels are not only breaching copyright but attempting to use Tolkien's work to make commercial gain.
The six-page legal letter demands that West Stow Pods 'cease and desist' from 23 different elements of their project.
Steven Maier, of the firm, said: 'I can confirm that we have been in communication with West Stow Pods Limited concerning their commercial plans to offer holiday accommodation with reference to elements of the works of JRR Tolkien.
'I can also confirm that the Tolkien Estate has not licensed the use of the intellectual property in the works of JRR Tolkien in connection with this or any similar venture.'
Sam's house at the Hobbiton Movie set where the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed
The couple plan to create a habitable hobbit hole so Tolkien fans can live their dreams. Pictured: An artist impression of the living area inside the 'poddit hole.'
Mrs Lengyel said that 'there's a lot of local and national interest in the project.' Pictured: An artists impression of what the bedroom will look like in the 'poddit hole'
But Mrs Lengyel added: 'The Tolkien Estate has asked us not to use 'Poddit Hole', which is absolutely ridiculous.
'We have got to call the project something, what would they like is to call it?
'Even though we have bent over backwards to meet their demands they are still wanting more.'
The planned semi subterranean 'Poddit Hole', built into a bank, is designed to sleep five and will cost an estimated £90,000 to build.
The project lost £2,000 of pledges as contributors questioned its legitimacy when the corporations put pressure on Kickstarter to shut the page.
After removing any references to the films, books and the use of 'hobbit' and 'Middle-Earth' the site is back up and has now received over £18,000 in pledges.
The couple already have a number of glamping pods at their site in Suffolk, which are hugely popular
Most watched News videos
- Protesters slash bus tyre to stop migrant removal from London hotel
- Hainault: Tributes including teddy and sign 'RIP Little Angel'
- King Charles makes appearance at Royal Windsor Horse Show
- Shocking moment yob viciously attacks elderly man walking with wife
- King Charles makes appearance at Royal Windsor Horse Show
- Kim Jong-un brands himself 'Friendly Father' in propaganda music video
- Shocking moment yob launches vicious attack on elderly man
- Keir Starmer addresses Labour's lost votes following stance on Gaza
- Susan Hall concedes defeat as Khan wins third term as London Mayor
- Labour's Sadiq Khan becomes London Mayor third time in a row
- Keir Starmer says Blackpool speaks for the whole country in election
- TikTok videos capture prankster agitating police and the public
