DC and WB Win Major Ruling In Superman Copyrights!!

DC Comics and Warner Brothers have won the ruling to retain the other 50-percent of the Superman copyrights against the Estate of Joe Shuster, who are represented by attorney Marc Toberoff. This is a major victory for DC and WB as it shows that sometimes you can’t beat the Goliath. It was several things that worked against the Shuster estate such as the 1992 agreement that terminated their ability to regain their half of the copyrights for annual pensions and that Joe Shuster had no direct heirs, but rather collateral heirs such as his nephew Marc Peary. The reason that the Jerry Siegel estate were able to regain their half of the copyrights was that Jerry has a direct heir in his daughter, Laura Siegel Larson, and that they never signed any agreements that nullify their ability to terminate their copyright. I am glad this ruling happened because it would be a blow to DC Comics, Warner Brothers, and the Superman fans that we would not have comics depicting Superman as we know him in his iconic state. DC would end up losing all of the elements relating to Superman. I had a feeling that the Shuster estate were not going to win this one. As it stands, DC/ WB own 50-percent while the Siegel family own the other 50-percent. If one were to publish Superman comics and produce Superman films, they would have to pay the other party. However, DC and WB have more edge in owning the Superman trademarks, which the Siegel family do not own. A great day for Superman fans!!