No 'Star Trek'-ing on Ellison's work

leIn 1968, science fiction writer extraordinaire Harlan Ellison helped "Star Trek" do what many thought could not happen: win a major mainstream award. The celebrated episode "The City on the Edge of Forever" took home the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Teleplay. More recent genre shows, such as "Battlestar Galactica," "Heroes" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," have sniffed at the Emmys, DGA, WGA and SAG major awards, but mostly have not jumped that hurdle. (Patricia Arquette's Emmy win for "Medium" should not be overlooked!)

Now comes word that the acclaimed writer is suing CBS-Paramount, Simon & Schuster and CBS Corp. for breach of contract. The author says the companies failed to pay him "for use of elements of a 'Star Trek' screenplay he wrote in a trio of 'Star Trek' novels."

Not a lot has been revealed about the lawsuit, or which particular novels supposedly took which particular elements, but gleaning from the creations of others in a multiverse-size story like "Star Trek" or "Star Wars" or "Stargate" seems acceptable and desirable. Authors are really particular, though, about what they own (intellectually and emotionally), so there's surely more going on than just 'He took my Vulcan.'

Mr. Ellison is not one to shy away from speaking his mind though, as illustrated here:

Nicole Richie's ex, Adam Goldstein (a.k.a. DJ AM), sues New York Daily News for $10 million

Blending the genres of press release and civil complaint, Adam Goldstein (a.k.a. DJ AM) has filed a suit for libel and invasion of privacy against the New York Daily News for a gossip page item claiming his career as a celebu-DJ spun out after he and Nicole Richie broke up.

In fact, Goldstein's lawyers allege in papers filed in Superior Court on June 27 that he is still "one of the most sought-after, and highly respected, disc jockeys in the country if not the world."

What's the evidence?

See Page 2 of the suit:

"Plaintiff has also 'scratched' on albums for such musicians as Papa Roach, Madonna, and Will Smith and he has performed at private events for many well-known celebrities, including Jim Carrey, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Stiller, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Kate Hudson."

If the judge wants more, he can peruse the 14-page printout of DJ AM's MySpace page, which lists his upcoming gigs at some of the very clubs the Daily News reported had cooled on him since he no longer had a famous better half. It also includes MySpace's own special brand of character testimony. For example, "You are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gorgeous!!!!!"

Goldstein is asking for at least $10 million in damages.

-- Harriet Ryan

Photo: Nicole Richie and DJ AM arrive at Cipriani's Wall Street Concert Series with Lionel Richie in 2005. Scott Gries / Getty Images.

Mario Puzo's heirs sue Paramount over 'Godfather' game

Taking it to the legal mattresses, Mario Puzo's estate filed a $1-million lawsuit today against Paramount Pictures for allegedly cheating "The Godfather" author's heirs out of proceeds from a Corleone-inspired video game.

According to the suit, Paramount and Puzo, who died in 1999, agreed that he would receive a "significant share" of "audiovisual" products derived from his Mafia saga. Puzo's son and executor, Anthony, contends in the suit that "The Godfather" video game is covered by the deal because it includes characters from the films.

"You hear them. You see them. That's audiovisual to me," said the estate's lawyer, Bert Fields.

Paramount declined to comment.

-- Harriet Ryan