A new legal battle has emerged over the rights to Superman, as the estate of co-creator Joseph Shuster has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics, alleging copyright infringement in multiple international markets.
Filed in New York’s Southern District on Friday, the lawsuit claims that DC Comics’ international rights to Superman expired in 2017 and 2021 in key territories, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Despite this, the estate argues that Warner Bros. Discovery and DC continued to exploit the character and related properties, including television series, video games, and merchandise.
It’s curious that the lawsuit comes just months before the highly anticipated release of the next Superman film. I mean, why wait until now to bring these allegations to light? If these supposed Violations have been going on for the last 3 to 6 years …To force a quick Financial resolution perhaps.
“These foreign copyright laws were specifically designed to protect creators like my Uncle Joe. That is what we’re fighting for here,” said Mark Warren Peary, executor of the Shuster estate. (Uncle Joe Shuster died in 1992)
And in a statement, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics said… “We Fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit, and will vigorously defend our rights.”
Which means, this dispute is going to court y’all, where hopefully truth and justice will prevail. And fingers-crossed, on July 11th the Superman movie can fly worldwide.