Joseph Shuster’s Estate, Co-Creator Of Superman, Files Awsuit In US Court Against Warner Bros And DC Comics

Joseph Shuster’s Estate, Co-Creator Of Superman, Files Lawsuit In US Court Against Warner Bros And DC Comics

Strap – Claims that the studio does not have the rights to release the upcoming movie in certain territories

Mark Warren Peary, the executor of Joseph Shuster's estate, has filed a case in the US District Court in New York against Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) and DC Comics.

It sought damages and an injunction to stop the two entities from distributing Superman-related content in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia. It argued that Shuster's foreign copyrights to Superman reverted to his estate years ago.

However, WBD disagreed with the merits of the case and intended to defend its rights.

The lawsuit explained that under the copyright laws, a creator's rights automatically returned to the estate 25 years after their death. Since Joseph Shuster passed away in 1992, his copyright in those countries reverted to his estate in 2017 (and in 2021 in Canada).

Meanwhile, the new Superman movie, starring David Corenswet as the iconic superhero, will be released on 11 July. It also features Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Maria Gabriela de Faria as The Engineer.