Rights to John Steinbeck's work returned to Penguin

A federal appeals court has overturned a 2006 decision that awarded rights to 10 John Steinbeck titles to the author's son and granddaughter. The new decision returns the rights to Steinbeck's publisher, Penguin. Penguin issued the following statement: "As John Steinbeck’s publisher for over 60 years, we are tremendously gratified by the Second Circuit’s decision. We are pleased that Penguin Group (USA) remains John Steinbeck’s publisher for generations to come. We look forward to continuing to work with all the people involved who share Steinbeck’s distinguished legacy and to further expanding the audience for Steinbeck’s seminal works.” Penguin, which in 1994 entered into a publishing contract with Steinbeck's third wife, Elaine Steinbeck (who died in 2003), will now revert to publishing the 10 titles--nine novels and one play--as per that 1994 agreement. The titles are: Cup of Gold; The Pastures of Heaven; The Red Pony; To a God Unknown; Tortilla Flat; In Dubious Battle; Of Mice and Men; Of Mice and Men (the play); The Long Valley; and The Grapes of Wrath.