Judge blocks publication of 'Rye'

NEW YORK, June 17 (UPI) -- A New York judge has delayed the publication of "60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye" while she considers whether it violates J.D. Salinger's copyright.

"60 Years Later," which was written by Swedish author Fredrik Colting under the pen name J.D. California, is about an older version of Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in Salinger's classic novel "Catcher in the Rye."

Salinger, 90, filed a lawsuit against Colting and his publishers to block the new book's publication on the grounds it violates Salinger's copyrighted characters and story.

Colting, however, has argued his book is a parody and is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The New York Times said Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Deborah A. Batts ruled Wednesday that "60 Years Later" can't be published in the United States for 10 days while she takes a closer look at Salinger's copyright infringement allegations.

"It does seem to me that Holden Caulfield is quite delineated by words, that is a portrait by words," The Times quoted Batts as saying. "It would seem that Holden Caulfield is copyrighted."

However, Batts also said she wanted to examine the case closer to determine whether the new book might fall under the protection of the fair use provision.

"I'll issue a written decision as quickly as I can," she said.