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DC loses rights to Superman in 2013?

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  • Riffster
    Atomic batteries to power
    • Jun 29, 2008
    • 2487

    DC loses rights to Superman in 2013?

    is it for the movie? or do they lose the comic rights too?


    Why the clock is running out for a Superman sequel | SCI FI Wire
    The most interesting points in a court ruling on Wednesday over the rights to Superman are, 1, that the rights revert back to the heirs of creators Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster in 2013 and, 2, that Warner Brothers has no script and no development plans for a sequel to Bryan Singer's 2006 Superman Returns.

    Indeed, the studio wouldn't be able to release a sequel until 2012 at the earliest, meaning that the clock is running out for Warner.

    The details were contained in a ruling that otherwise favored Warner and its corporate sibling DC Comics in a suit filed by the heirs of Superman co-creator Jerome Siegel, Variety reported. Here's some of what the trade paper reported:

    In a decision announced Wednesday, U.S. Judge District Court Judge Stephen G. Larson found that the license fees the studio paid to corporate sibling DC Comics didn't represent "sweetheart" deals as they weren't below fair market value. That means the heirs will be able seek profits only from DC Comics—which earned $13.6 million from Warner Brothers for the 2006 release of Superman Returns—rather than from Warner Brothers as well. ...

    The judge also set a Dec. 1 trial date for determining the allocation of profits to the heirs, who won a ruling last year from Larson that awarded them half the copyright for the Superman material. ...

    The judge, who conducted a 10-day bench trial, also noted that Warner Brothers chairman Alan Horn had testified that he hopes to make another Superman movie but added that the property wasn't under development at the studio, that no script had been written and that the earliest another Superman pic could be released would be in 2012. ...

    Attorney Marc Toberoff, who represents heirs Joanne Siegel and Laura Siegel Larson, told Daily Variety that the judge had erred in not considering comparable licensing deals for best-selling novels penned by Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton and popular musicals such as My Fair Lady. ...

    Toberoff also asserted in a written statement that the Siegel heirs and the heirs of co-creator Joe Shuster will own the entire Superman copyright in 2013.
    Looking for Infinite Heroes Robin and Catwoman
    And Super Powers Batman
  • VintageMike
    Permanent Member
    • Dec 16, 2004
    • 3385

    #2
    I'm sure DC/Warner will do whatever is needed in 2013. If it means having to give the heirs more money so be it.

    Comment

    • The Toyroom
      The Packaging King
      • Dec 31, 2004
      • 16653

      #3
      Yeah I doubt Supes is going anywhere......
      Think OUTSIDE the Box! For the BEST in Repro & Custom Packaging!

      Comment

      • WannabeMego
        Made in the USA
        • May 2, 2003
        • 2170

        #4
        This will probably play out the same exact way the rights to Captain America played out...

        It's sad, but it's David vs Goliath...and David always gets squashed!!!
        Everyone is Entitled to MY Opinion...Your's, not so much!

        Comment

        • jds1911a1
          Alan Scott is the best GL
          • Aug 8, 2007
          • 3556

          #5
          I can't imagine some sort of Long term copyright lease won't be worked out. Ultimately the estates want to get fatter paychecks for creativity their grandfathers/great grandfathers had.

          I can't see the estate playing hardball all they want is money not control. Can you imagine them peddling Superman to some 2nd string comics company.

          Comment

          • samurainoir
            Eloquent Member
            • Dec 26, 2006
            • 18758

            #6
            Originally posted by jds1911a1

            I can't see the estate playing hardball all they want is money not control. Can you imagine them peddling Superman to some 2nd string comics company.
            No, but I can see them opening up negotiations with Marvel Studios, Disney or any of the major media/movie companies to give them extra leverage in their bargaining position. Remember, the major $$$ in Superman is NOT the comics, it's the Movies, TV Shows, Animated Series, Action Figures, Bedsheets, T-shirts etc etc. Licensing. The Siegel/Shuster estates will be looking to maximize the licensing potential, of which comic books is the smallest portion.

            Think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After all these years, they still put out the comic books, but Eastman and Laird did not make the majority of their fortunes on the funny pages themselves.
            My store in the MEGO MALL!

            BUY THE CAPTAIN CANUCK ACTION FIGURE HERE!

            Comment

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