SA:Bradman name case settled out of court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2011
SA:Bradman name case settled out of court

By Liza Kappelle

ADELAIDE, Aug 3 AAP - Six years after their anger over "Bradman" cookies became public,
Sir Donald Bradman's heirs have settled a legal battle over use of the legendary cricketer's
name.

John Bradman, son of "The Don", says he's happy with the confidential settlement that
was "a long time coming".

"It has been very important to my family, but as I say we are very happy with the outcome,"

he told reporters briefly outside the Supreme Court in Adelaide.

Minutes earlier, Justice Robert White had been told of the result and congratulated
the Bradman estate and law firm Allens Arthur Robinson for finally agreeing on a compromise.

He wished it had come earlier, having urged mediation in the lead-up to the trial that
began on Tuesday with immediate adjournments while the parties talked.

Mr Bradman and other executors of Sir Donald's estate had been suing Allens Arthur
Robinson for undisclosed damages after alleging they were negligent in assigning Sir Donald's
name to the Bradman Foundation.

Mr Bradman's displeasure became public in 2005 when the foundation licensed an Australian
food company to market "Bradman" chocolate chip cookies in India.

The family at the time described Bradman as "a loved and missed family member, not
a brand name like Mickey Mouse".

The foundation counter-claimed it had confidence the legendary cricketer would have
approved of the venture.

The Bradman estate won the right to go to trial last year, after appealing an earlier
Supreme Court of South Australia decision by Justice Chris Kourakis that ruled the law
firm had not breached its retainer.

Justice Kourakis also said the family had taken too long to lodge action on certain
points of its claim.

On Wednesday, Justice White adjourned the matter for six more weeks to allow the settlement
to be completed.

The suit will be discontinued once the confidential terms are complete.

Sir Donald Bradman died in February 2001 aged 92.

AAP lk/jnb/jjs

KEYWORD: BRADMAN WRAP (WITH PIX)

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