Superman Summer Porta Warner Bros. in Foreign Rights Court, threatening the release in the key markets

Warner Bros. Discovery is facing a legal challenge that could curb the release of James Gunn’S Superman In several important territories.

The estate of Joseph ShusterCo-creator of The Man of Steel, he fought a cause against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics, claiming that the study does not have the rights to distribute the next success in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

Mark Warren PearyExecutor of Shuster Estate, he filed the cause in the southern district of New York, in search of both damage and injunctions to prevent Warner from issuing the film in these territories.

The cause says: “The defendants are actively planning a new superman film and other derived works for imminent release all over the world”.

Given this Supermaninterpreted David Corenswet Like Clark Kent, it is destined to hit cinemas on 11 July, the times of the cause could create complications for Warner’s international launch.

The question at hand revolves around foreign copyright laws. Second Marc ToberoffThe lawyer, Siegel and Shuster of the estate originally sold the world rights to Superman for only $ 130 in 1938.

However, some countries that follow the British legal tradition such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia have laws that automatically interrupt these positions 25 years after the death of an author.

This means that the part of Shuster’s copyright returned to its property in 2017 (and in Canada in 2021), but Warner Bros. continued to use the character without their authorization.

The cause says: “The defendants continue to exploit Superman through these jurisdictions without the authorization of the Shuster Summer, included in the movement images, in the television series and in the goods – in direct violation of the copyright laws of these countries, which require consent of all the joint copyright owners. “

This is not the first time that Peary and Warner Bros. have fought in court. Their previous legal fights are rotated around the rights to resolve the US copyright. However, Toberoff observes that this specific question that involves the reversion of foreign copyright had not been conditioned before. Now it will be.

Warner Bros. is not breaking down. A study spokesman replied in no uncertain terms: “Basically we do not agree with the merits of the cause and we will vigorously defend our rights”.

With the release of Superman Arriving this summer, this legal battle could be transformed into a high -level struggle. If the Court govern in favor of the Tenuta di Shuster, Warner can be forced to negotiate terms or risking losing distribution in some of its overseas key markets.

Source: deadline