Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Warner Bros. Wins Superman Copyright Lawsuit

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: January 23, 2013

Key Contacts

Back

Winner in Copyright Lawsuit

Warner Bros. emerged as the winner in a copyright lawsuit that has been going on for years regarding copyrights the Superman franchise.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overruled a 2008 lower court decision, which gave Superman co-creator Jerome Siegel’s estate the go-ahead to recapture rights to the Superman saga. The battle between Warner Bros. and the estates of the character’s creators, Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster has been ongoing. In the 1930s, the creators sold their rights to the character for less than it was worth in the early days. However, the estates sued to recapture the rights to the franchise after the 1976  included a provision allows artists who sold their rights under unfair bargaining to reclaim their copyrights.

Under this law, both creators’ estates won a lawsuit in 2008 that would require Warner Bros. to share profits from franchise products. On appeal, however, Warner Bros. was able to produce a negotiated agreement between the company and Siegel’s widow that was agreed upon in 2001, in which Warner Bros. would provide fair compensation for the rights her husband had sold. A similar agreement was mapped out with Shuster’s estate in 1992.

The court determined that these agreements were not effectively taken into consideration during the 2008 trial, and granted Warner Bros. full rights to the Superman franchise. The ruling comes just before the release of “Man of Steel” in June 2013.

“This is a great day for Superman, for his fans, for DC Entertainment and for Warner Bros.,” said a representative for Warner Bros. “Today’s ruling vindicates DC Comics’ long-held position that it entered into a binding agreement with the Jerry Siegel family in 2001. The Court’s decision paves the way for the Siegels to finally to receive the compensation they negotiated for and which DC has been prepared to pay for over a decade. We are extremely pleased that Superman’s adventures can continue to be enjoyed across all media platforms worldwide for generations to come.”

Despite the victory on appeal, matters relating to copyright and entertainment law can be complex, and it remains possible that the estates may choose to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide post image

Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide

For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide"
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination post image

Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]

Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh

Link to post with title - "Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination"
SPACs Are Back, What You Need to Know post image

SPACs Are Back, What You Need to Know

Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "SPACs Are Back, What You Need to Know"
Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses post image

Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses

Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses"
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress post image

Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress

The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]

Author: Brian D. Spector

Link to post with title - "Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress"
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them post image

Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them

Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!