LEGAL FILE

‘Lawnmower’ Law: Author Stephen King has won a federal court ruling in New York that prohibits a movie producer and distributor from using his name on the film “Lawnmower Man.” The movie, released by Allied Vision and New Line Cinema in March, purports to be based on a 10-page short story of the same title that King wrote in 1975 and sold to movie interests in 1978. But Judge Constance Baker Motley said just one two-minute scene of the 100-minute movie is taken from King’s short story. Motley said billing the movie as “based upon Stephen King’s ‘Lawnmower Man’ ” is “false on its face.” Joseph Santora, lawyer for New Line, said his client will appeal.