Disney Pooh-Poohs Ovitz Severance Suit

Walt Disney Co. on Monday dismissed as “trivial” a lawsuit challenging the huge severance paid to Michael Ovitz, the former talent agent unable to define a role as No. 2 to Disney Chairman Michael Eisner.

The suit, filed Friday in state court in Los Angeles, said Ovitz’s 14-month tenure as Disney president was “undistinguished and unproductive.” It contends Disney should have renegotiated “no-fault” provisions in Ovitz’s contract that handed him a cash and stock package worth “$130 million or more.”

Disney said it will vigorously defend itself against the latest charges.