In Chile, the publication and distribution of Pedro Lemebel's books are suspended
In the midst of a dispute between the chronicler's "hereditary community".
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Geraldine Mardones, Pedro Lemebel, shared this week her public struggle to free the work of the author of "Adiós Mariquita Linda".
He is currently engaged in a legal battle with his half-sister, Daniela Mardones, both members of Pedro Lemebel's "inheritance community." Amid this litigation, Planeta Publishing House has suspended all editions, reissues, publications, and distribution of the writer's work.
The cancellation of new editions and distribution of all of Lemebel 's written work by Planeta was revealed in an interview with Mardones on "Siempre Viva en Vivo", a radio program about sexual diversity and HIV/AIDS on Chilean radio.
There, Geraldine recounted her relationship with Pedro Lemebel. She also spoke about the family ties that bind her to the writer, as she is the daughter of Pedro's late brother, Jorge Mardones Lemebel, who until a year ago was Lemebel's sole heir.
Geraldine stated that before Lemebel's death, she had a close relationship with her half-siblings, especially with Daniela Mardones, who today—irregularly—is listed as the administrator of Lemebel's estate. Everything changed the day Lemebel died. From that moment, Geraldine acknowledges, the estrangement began that has now led to their legal battle.
Geraldine not only denounced the “difficult and lengthy process” of recognizing her inheritance rights, but also the concealment of her father's death. “I found out about my father's death through Facebook, from a fake profile. Nobody told me, nobody notified me, and to this day I don't know where he's buried,” Geraldine stated. “I felt anger; now it's known that it was for financial gain and to keep me out of Pedro Lemebel's legacy,” she pointed out.
Lemebel's lyrics around the world
In recent days, after seeking agreements among the members of the inheritance community, an agreement that could not be reached due to the "bad disposition of Daniela Mardones," according to Felipe González, Geraldine Mardones' lawyer, the re-edition and distribution of Lemebel's work by Editorial Planeta in Chile has been suspended.
This situation has not prevented Daniela Mardones from signing contracts with foreign publishers, especially from the US, notably the translation and editing of a book by Lemebel, scheduled for September 2023. The signatures and authorizations for these publications “have not had the approval of the entire inheritance community,” denounces Geraldine Mardones' lawyer.
Felipe González explained that his client, along with her brother and mother, "forms an inherited community within which Pedro's work is included. This is because Pedro's heir was the father of Geraldine and Daniela and therefore bequeathed his assets to his heirs. As it is a community, there is no appointed administrator and, consequently, the heirs together must make all the decisions,"and added that, "unfortunately, this has not happened."
Free Lemebel
“We understand that, up to now, the administration is being handled by Daniela without Geraldine’s consent, consultation, or authorization. Daniela didn’t even inform the publishing house of her father’s death and continued receiving payments directly, lacking Geraldine’s legal representation. To this day, Daniela hasn’t informed us about the financial status of the income from the writer’s work, and what’s worse, she registered a trademark with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) called ‘Lemebel.’ While this trademark, in itself, doesn’t allow her to exploit Pedro’s work, it seems to have worked for her,” González added.
Daniela Mardones' lawyer speaks
“Planeta made us a proposed solution, but the lawyer didn't respond,” Daniela Mardones' lawyer, Francisca Silva, told Presentes. She declined to provide further details about the international contracts.
Daniela Mardones' counterclaim adds to her sister's initial lawsuit, placing the entire inheritance dispute solely in civil courts, while other legal implications of the case are analyzed, according to Geraldine Mardones' defense team.
The interview with Daniela Mardones' lawyer concludes with a rather discouraging estimate for readers of the beloved Chilean writer. "I estimate it will take about two years for his work to be republished."
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