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Stan Lee Media and Disney Battle For Ownership of Marvel Characters
An anonymous reader writes "Stan Lee Media and The Walt Disney Co. have taken their arguments to the U.S. Court of Appeals over who owns the rights (and profits) to Marvel characters. Though Disney bought Marvel in 2009, Stan Lee Media (no longer associated with Stan Lee, himself) still claims copyright of the characters."
No details, nothing about transfer of copyrights, proof of who is successor of interest, nothing. I RTFA and found the summary is pretty much all there is to know. Anyone got a more informative link?
They're one of the biggest players in the world. No judge or committee will ever rule against them, and will modify or create new laws to protect the behemoth empire.
The actual people who came up with the characters definitely don't own them.
Thanks, pro-corporate copyright laws and contracts!
Would say what?
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...
Short Version: Stan Lee has had nothing to do with SLM for over a decade - since his former friend and co-founder fled to South America to avoid federal securities fraud prosecution.
SLM is currently a few leeches who have nothing to do with the comics industry are trying to sink their claws into the profits of the creative class.
I understand that creative people need money to work, and the entities that front that money are due a return on their investment.
That's not what's going on here.
My opinions are my own, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
He has NO power over the DARK side!
Does Stan Lee still own the rights to the character "Stan Lee" (tm)?
Don't usually own the copyright to the code, when they are doing it for another company.
I get you aren't happy with the balance of power in this but remember the people who created those characters actually did give up their rights to them for payment. If you want to change the laws to give them greater protection consider you may actually be taking away their ability to sell their work and make a living.
Why isn't everybody free to make as much money from his own stories around those characters as he wishes, as long as he is not stealing the stories?
Leave it to d-bags who aren't even affiliated with the original creator, to pull a money grabbing scheme.
without the rights to the characters, Marvel Comics is worthless....
Another clarion call for the end of copyright as we know it and complete and total overhaul of the system
My wife and I own the copyright to our wedding photos taken over 25 years ago and have the negatives. Nearly all of the photographers we talked to at the time were still in the old model where they owned the copyright -- especially the older ones. The younger ones were beginning to switch to the new model where the customer owns the copyright.
There are still numerous photographers that stick to the old model because they think it makes them more money. Kind of an interesting belief given the number of people who never have more prints made. Seems to me that you'd make more money just by charging extra for the negatives or digital files.
The copyright on Mickey Mouse should have run out a thousand years ago, but Disney's tame Congressmen just keep letting them renew and renew and renew.
The idea that they're now trying to muscle their way in on other cartoon characters is disgusting.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
Apples and oranges, logically.
Both are of the Rosids clade. Both are fruit. Both are cultivated by humans.
I'd agree with you, but you just had to make it about fuckin' Jews, didn't you.
I write sci-fi for metalheads
In fact, it was the character Sheldon Cooper.
-Mr. Pedantic
In fact, it was the character Sheldon Cooper.
-Mr. Pedantic
Ok fair enough. Pedantry has its place. The previous reference was of course to the character Wil Wheaton from the same show, played coincidentally by an actor named Wil Wheaton.
Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
I'd agree with you, but you just had to make it about fuckin' Jews, didn't you.
The man spoke the truth.
Your problem is that you are not man enough to admit it was the truth.
Original AC here, no it was to Will Wheaton. An entirely different person.
I was man enough for your girlfriend, AC.
I write sci-fi for metalheads
In fact, it was the character Sheldon Cooper.
-Mr. Pedantic
That's Doctor Sheldon Cooper you insensitive clod.
I propose that we split the characters down the middle and each company may retain exactly one half of each character. Problem solved. Now the only thing to quibble about is whether you want to split them horizontally or vertically.