A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Screenwriter Sued Over Cook Plot: United National Pictures sued Stirling Silliphant and Stirling Silliphant Productions on Wednesday, claiming that the screenwriter agreed to write a six-hour miniseries on the life of Captain James Cook, then failed to deliver it by Jan. 1 as promised. Silliphant never signed the written contract agreeing to do the job but accepted a $50,000 advance, the suit says. The Los Angeles Superior Court case seeks at least $125,000 plus punitive damages and the return of three “rare” volumes on Cook’s life. (Filed June 6, 1990. Case No. BC002790)