Fight Over Superman Continues

Last Tuesday three U.S. Court of Appeals judges ruled that Warner Bros. could use what the studio believes are damaging documents  as part of the studio’s suit against Marc Toberoff, an attorney who represents the heirs of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster—the creators of Superman. The studio expects the documents to aid in its DC Comic division’s attempt to retain a 50% interest in Superman; an interest Toberoff claims reverts to the creators’ heirs.

Previously, a judge ruled that a 50% interest in Superman should revert back to the Siegel heirs, and Toberoff is attempting to receive a similar ruling for the Shuster heirs. If Toberoff succeeds, Warner would be deprived of control of Superman—one of the studio’s most well known and valuable properties.

An attorney who formerly worked for Toberoff sent the documents in question to Warner prior to June 2006. The documents contained a cover letter that stated the documents revealed that the prior attorney of the Siegel heirs had threatened to testify that they had reached a settlement agreement with Warner if they worked with Toberoff.   

See Warner Gets Victory in Legal Fight With Superman Heirs’ Attorney, The Los Angeles Times, Apr. 17, 2012.  

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.