Librarian says 'Da Vinci Code' suit lacks merit

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio -- A retired librarian who helped novelist Dan Brown conduct research for the mega-selling thriller "The Da Vinci Code" said a lawsuit accusing Brown of stealing ideas from other writers is bogus. Stan Planton, 58, a retired head librarian at Ohio University-Chillicothe, said Tuesday he's puzzled by the court case, which began this week in London. He downplayed his role with the book, saying he exchanged e-mails with Brown prior to publication of "The Da Vinci Code," helping Brown locate information on the lineage of French kings and other minor details. "I was just being a librarian, helping someone find what they needed," said Planton, who retired last year. He said he has not been contacted by attorneys involved in the lawsuit. [More]