Tag Legal Matters
Court rules making your own Batmobile violates copyright
We've mentioned a few times here a lawsuit for copyright infringement by DC against an outfit called Gotham Garage, which sells replica Batmobiles—based on the 60s Batman TV show in particular—as well as other vehicles based on famed fantasy cars, like the Mach Five.
If you were thinking [read more]
Gaiman: “Every time I would run into Todd in a courtroom he looked a little more sad.”
Neil Gaiman took his victory lap after the settlement in his lawsuit against Todd McFarlane with comments to the Washington Post's Michael Cavna, talking about the copyright precedents set by all the various rulings over the years. [read more]
And so it ends: Gaiman and McFarlane finally settle epic Spawn lawsuit
An epic battle of two of comicdom's most successful figures that lasted more than 10 years has ended, not even with a whimper but a settlement, as Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane have at long last agreed on how to share the rights to characters and stories Gaiman [read more]
The Curse of Santayana
Once again, a creator loses a copyright battle against a major comics publisher with a major motion picture soon to screen. The artist is living in poverty, has health problems, and is forgotten by the general public. Sound familiar? Read on... it gets worse. [read more]
Judge to Archie co-publisher: “Stay away!”
The ugly legal battle between Archie Comics co-CEO's Jon Goldwater and Nancy Silberkleit has escalated in recent weeks with new legal filings. And now a judge has banned Silberkleit from going anywhere near Archie's offices or contacting any of the employees. [read more]
Marvel prevails in Ghost Rider ownership dispute
Marvel has won a four year legal battle over who owns the rights to Ghost Rider. On Wednesday a judge rejected the claim by writer Gary Friedrich, who co-created the character in 1972's Marvel Spotlight #5 along with Roy Thomas and Mike Ploog. [read more]
Both Marvel and DC support SOPA, the onerous anti-piracy act
Stopping digital piracy has become a full-time obsession for most major entertainment companies; but the Stop Online Piracy Act now wending its way through Congress is probably not the way to do it -- a far too broad law that would give lawmakers powers to stop just about [read more]
Diary of a Wimpy Zombie Lawsuit
You've doubtless heard of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," the comics-ish series that started out as a web feature, become a best-selling book series and expanded into movies. You may not have heard of "Diary of a Zombie Kid" from Antarctic Press. Written by Fred Perry and [read more]
War of the heirs rages at Archie Comics as Nancy Silberkleit’s school talks cancelled
Oops, well just yesterday The Beat and Michael Sangiacomo were reporting that Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit was continuing to peacefully tell children about the joys of comics despite her past as the target of a sexual harassment lawsuit.
However, it seems that a series of anonymous phone [read more]
Charges dropped against Susie Cagle
Charges against cartoonist/journalist Susie Cagle for "being present at a raid" have been dropped, although not without a bit of drama: [read more]
Gareb Shamus Out At Wizard — The Actual SEC Filing
As of last Thursday, Gareb Shamus is no longer president/CEO of Wizard World, Inc. Being publicly traded, notice of this change had to be filed with the SEC.
This includes the company's report: [read more]
Steve Rude “Jail Update”
According to anew mailed, artist Steve Rude has been instructed by his lawyer not to talk about his case. However "He does want me to pass along his deepest gratitude. He really loves reading any mail that comes his way and words of encouragement to be strong."
You'll recall [read more]
Michael George sentenced to life in prison
Former comics retailer and convention runner Michael George was sentenced to life in prison today for the murder of his wife Barbara 21 years ago. The sentence was mandatory in Michigan, so there was little suspense. At the sentencing, George still protested his innocence. ""Something will be found,' he [read more]
Taymor to Spidey producers: Turn on the lawsuit
Oh yeah, it's on.
After being ousted from the directing chair of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the troubled Broadway show about the webslinger, director Julie Taymor kept a tight smile at the opening of the show. However, now the gloves are off and she's suing the producers [read more]
Cartoonists and the law: Susie Cagle arrested, charged with misdeneanor
Cartoonist Susie Cagle -- who was previously teargassed during another confrontation -- was arrested as part of the Occupy Oakland protest on Wednesday night. Cagle was not there as a protester, but as a reporter, covering the scene for Spot.us. According to Cagle's father, Cagle was arrested [read more]
Cartoonists and the law: Steve Rude update
Following up news of Monday's arrest of Steve "The Dude" Rude on charges of assault and violating a restraining order, Tom Spurgeon got further details of the night in question from Rude's wife Jaynelle. It seems that on Halloween evening, Steve was outside, in costume, giving [read more]
Judge rules Tintin in the Congo is not racist
Tintin isn't racist. He's just drawn that way. So ruled a Belgian judge yesterday in a long running attempt to get TINTIN IN THE CONGO, the second book in the popular series, banned on account of racism.
The book -- like many of its era -- uses typical [read more]
Steve Rude is out of jail but you can stil help him
Well, you won't need to help bail him out, but on his Facebook page, artist Steve Rude's wife, Jaynellle reports that the artist was arrested over a dispute with neighbors. [read more]
Joe Giella artwork stolen
Golden/Silver age artist Joe Giella who worked for Fawcett in the Golden Age and inked things like Gil Kane's Green Lantern in the Silver age, has had some artwork stolen. Jim Amash reports that "A certain person Joe Giella trusted apparently stole a few pieces of original comic [read more]
FOUND: The Superman check that changed history
Looking upon the images of this check inspires both awe and revulsion. Awe that such a key part of American cultural history has been found. Revulsion that the American comic book industry was birthed in exploitation of the creators. And before anybody gets up in the comments to complain [read more]