Warner Bros is Victorious In Superman Lawsuit

DC Comics retains the rights to Superman after a judge ruled that the heirs of one of the superhero’s co-creators signed away their ability to reclaim copyrights to the Man of Steel roughly 20 years ago.

This ruling confirms that DC Comics/Warner Bros. will retain all rights to continue using the character in books, films, television and other mediums, including the film reboot planned for next year.

Please click HERE to read the initial post.

DC Comics sued the heirs of artist Joe Shuster in 2010, seeking a ruling that they lost their ability to try to reclaim the superhero’s copyrights in 1992. US District Court Judge Otis Wright II agreed, stating that Shuster’s sister and brother relinquished any chance to reclaim Superman copyrights in exchange for annual pension payments from DC Comics.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster must turn over documents stolen from his office in 2008. The sensitive papers, which lawyer Marc Toberoff had argued were protected by attorney-client privilege, were taken from his office by disgruntled former associate David Michaels and delivered anonymously to Warner Bros. in December 2008.

WB claims Toberoff schemed to secure “a majority and controlling financial stake” in the Superman rights.

“We are extremely pleased that the 9th Circuit unanimously found in our favor,” Warner Bros. said in a statement. “The ruling means that defendant Mark Toberoff must now turn over critical evidence in the pending litigation against him and others.”

“We respectfully disagree with its factual and legal conclusions, and it is surprising given that the judge appeared to emphatically agree with our position at the summary judgement hearing,” the Shusters’ attorney Marc Toberoff wrote in a statement. He declined further comment, and Warner Bros. and its attorney Daniel Petrocelli also declined comment on the ruling.

In April, the $412 check that DC Comics wrote in 1938 to acquire Superman and other creative works by Shuster and Siegel sold for $160,000 in an online auction.