Judge mulls Dick Clark Globes statements

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Lawyers have asked a Los Angeles judge to admit parts of Dick Clark's deposition in the court tussle over broadcast rights for the Golden Globe Awards.

Attorneys for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organizers of the Oscars run-up gala, asked U.S. District Court Judge Howard Matz to allow them to use the testimony Clark gave last year that would bolster their position that it was the HFPA rather than Dick Clark Productions that had the overall authority over the broadcast rights.

Matz will rule on the motion Tuesday.

The Hollywood Reporter said the sections of interest include Clark stating he believed his company did indeed have to go through the HFPA before signing a broadcast deal with NBC. The later declaration, however, has him saying he believed Dick Clark Productions had the authority to negotiate a contract extension in 2010 on behalf of the HFPA but did not need the association's blessing.

Dick Clark Productions has opposed using the deposition, contending the declaration Clark made later overrides the earlier statement.

The company has offered to put Clark himself on the stand. The Reporter said if Clark does testify, it would be later in the week and would likely wrap up the proceedings.