Canadian publisher may put out O.J. book

Barclay Road, a Canadian publisher, said it would consider printing O.J. Simpson's controversial book "If I Did It" if it's available.

The Montreal-based company's employees were initially disgusted by reports of the book's topic, according to a statement released today. Now, the company said, in the name of free speech, it wants to give it a try.

"We are looking for the book to put us back in the marketplace," said Steve Meyers of Barclay Road.

"Giving the manuscript a read might just prove that the press did not have all of the facts," the statement said. If Barclay Road did nab the publishing rights, the company said it would change the book's title and cover.

News Corp. originally had planned to publish the book through its HarperCollins unit, but canceled the deal in November after public outcry over the subject. Barclay Road representatives said they have already contacted Simpson's attorney Yale L. Galanter.

Galanter said in an e-mail that "a number of publishers are interested in the book. I cannot reveal their names at this time."

Class-action suit targets Anna Nicole

LOS ANGELES — Anna Nicole Smith and TrimSpa Inc. face a lawsuit alleging their marketing of a weight-loss pill is false or misleading.

Janet Luna and three people identified as her guardians were named in a lawsuit filed Feb. 1 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges deceptive business practices and a violation of California's unfair competition law.

They are asking for unspecified damages, restitution and an injunction preventing Smith and New Jersey-based TrimSpa, maker of TrimSpa X32, from making claims that users of the pills can lose substantial amounts of weight.

Smith, 39, has endorsed TrimSpa and is a spokeswoman.

Ron Rale, Smith's lawyer, said Smith hadn't seen the lawsuit.

"This is news to us," he said, adding that "I'm sure to be speaking to her about it."

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission announced TrimSpa would pay $1.5 million to settle allegations that the company's weight-loss claims were unsubstantiated.

TrimSpa released a statement following the announcement saying it supported actions to clean up the weight-loss industry, but disputed the federal agency's allegation that a handful of TrimSpa advertisements that ran in 2003 and 2004 had insufficient substantiation.

TrimSpa also disagreed with any inference that its X32 product has no scientific support.

Socialites say Hilton sullies Opera Ball

VIENNA, Austria — Paris Hilton's impending visit to Vienna is the talk of the town — for all the wrong reasons.

The 25-year-old hotel heiress/reality TV star has been invited to the lavish Feb. 15 Opera Ball by Richard Lugner, whose previous guests include Geri Halliwell, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra.

Since Lugner, a 74-year-old married construction magnate, announced that Hilton would be his 2007 date, Austrian media have followed her every move, including her no-contest plea to alcohol-related reckless driving and her lawsuit against a Web site peddling her personal photos, videos and diaries.

Last week, a federal judge in Los Angeles issued a temporary injunction against ParisExposed.com. Hilton has accused the site of exploiting her private personal belongings for commercial gain.

The Web site claims to have footage of Hilton in a "sexy bubble bath" video and various shots of her in "racy situations."

"This makes a farce of the Opera Ball," said Barbara Kroth, a retired real-estate agent who said she always looks forward to the annual affair "because of the quality it represents."

Lugner dismissed Hilton's detractors, telling reporters: "Look, there are probably three or four nude photos of me, too, stashed away somewhere."

The Opera Ball draws about 4,500 well-heeled Austrian and foreign celebrities, dignitaries and socialites. Tickets often sell out months in advance. The ball costs $280 per person, although with extras such as gowns and tuxedos, flowers, limousines, high-end champagne and lavish dinners, the night typically runs $1,300 or more.

Boxes — and Lugner always reserves one — cost $20,700.

Includes information from Bloomberg News and The Associated Press.