April 26, 2011
Warner Bros is involved in a dispute with the estates of the original creators of the Superman comics over its continuing stake in the Superman franchise. The estates terminated Warner Bros’ rights to the first Superman comic book in 2008 by way of a court ruling under the Copyright Act of 1976. Since then, the company has been attempting to gain access to sensitive documents containing details of joint venture agreement between the two estates concerning how to share future Superman proceeds once Warner Bros’ interests have been defeated. However, the courts refused to grant access to the documents to Warner Bros, leaving the dispute as to who will own what rights in relation to their next Superman film, “Superman: Man of Steel" to the Appeal Courts. In 2013, many of Warner Bros’ rights against the estate will expire anyway so the film may be its last opportunity to profit from the character. Films often depend on a number of different copyright licences and authorisations being granted to their producers. For example, the film company may need to gain permissions to use the copyright in the original screenplay, music score and cartoon characters. Copyright in literary works is usually granted to the original author and lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years from the end of the year of their death.