The rights to superhero character Superman remain with Warner Bros. after the Supreme Court of the United States denied cert earlier this month in a case challenging their rights. The estate of Joseph Shuster, co-creator of Superman, attempted to reclaim their rights to the character. The decision from the 9th Circuit found that a 1992 contractual agreement blocked the estate’s attempt to terminate Warner’s rights. The agreement was between Shuster’s sister, Jean Peavy, and Warner, and gave the rights to Warner in exchange for payment that covered Shuster’s debts and expenses shortly after his death.
See Eriq Gardner, Supreme Court Denies Review of Superman Rights, The Hollywood Reporter, Oct. 6, 2014.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
