Codesters
15 년 전
Marvel sues to keep Spider-Man, X-Men copyrights
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100109/ap_en_ot/us_marvel_kirby_lawsuit
Sat Jan 9, 12:20 am ET
NEW YORK – The home of superheroes including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men sued one of its most successful artists Friday to retain the rights to the lucrative characters.
The federal lawsuit filed Friday in Manhattan by Marvel Worldwide Inc. asks a judge to invalidate 45 notices sent by the heirs of artist Jack Kirby to try to terminate Marvel's copyrights, effective on dates ranging from 2014 through 2019.
The heirs notified several companies last year that the rights to the characters would revert from Marvel to Kirby's estate.
The lawsuit said Kirby's work on the comics published between 1958 and 1963 were "for hire" and render the heirs' claims invalid. The famed artist died in 1994.
The lawsuit was dismissed by Kirby's attorney Marc Toberoff, who issued a statement saying the heirs were merely trying to take advantage of change to copyright law that allows artists to recapture rights to their work.
"It is a standard claim predictably made by comic book companies to deprive artists, writers, and other talent of all rights in their work," the statement said of Marvel's lawsuit.
"The Kirby children intend to vigorously defend against Marvel's claims in the hope of finally vindicating their father's work."
The statement claimed Kirby was never properly compensated for his contributions to Marvel's universe of superheroes.
"Sadly, Jack died without proper compensation, credit or recognition for his lasting creative contributions," the statement said.
Comic book characters such as Spider-Man and the X-Men have become some of Hollywood's most bankable properties in recent years.
The lawsuit said the comic book titles in the notices to which Kirby claims to have contributed include "Amazing Adventures," "Amazing Fantasy," "Amazing Spider-Man," "The Avengers," the "Fantastic Four," "Fantastic Four Annual," "The Incredible Hulk," "Journey into Mystery," "Rawhide Kid," "Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos," "Strange Tales," "Tales to Astonish," "Tales of Suspense" and "The X-Men."
John Turitzin, a Marvel lawyer, said in a statement that the heirs were trying "to rewrite the history of Kirby's relationship with Marvel."
He added: "Everything about Kirby's relationship with Marvel shows that his contributions were works made for hire and that all the copyright interests in them belong to Marvel."
Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co., sought a judge's order that the Kirby notices have no effect.
jacktrades
15 년 전
Disney buying in POWN now too.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/pow-entertainment-expands-ties-with-disney,1104215.shtml%3C/b%3E
Disney/Marvel Transaction OFFICIAL
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comments via emailreport as inappropriateSource: http://www.movieguys.org/movie-news/disney-buys-marvel/
It is official, Marvel share holders have approved the merger of Disney and Marvel. The merger will be completed before the market closes today.
Lately Marvel has seen great success with their comic heroes becoming big screen blockbusters. Movies like X-Men and Spiderman have had multiple sequels and have done fantastic at the box office. Even the Hulk has been redone twice, both times with well known actors Eric Bana and then the second with Edward Norton. Iron Man was last yearâ??s big hit taking in $572 million at the box office and a sequel set to be released in the summer of 2010. Disney is working to complete negotiations to purchase Marvel by Thursday, December 31st, 2009.
Even though many of the first tier super heroes are tied up in long contracts with rival studios, Disney sees great potential in many of the 5,000 other characters that are developed within the pages of Marvel comic books. They have many choices for potential movie super heroes and will continue to look into them and develop those that they feel will be profitable. Disney is well known for turning seemingly unknown talent into multibillion dollar enterprises. This can be attested to with the start of Miley Cyrus in the Hannah Montana franchise or the High School Musical explosion that have both spawned movies, concerts, and merchandise.
Although no word has been brought up about which characters may be brought to the front to become the next big thing, it is thought that Disney may start out on a smaller scale instead of jumping right into spending millions on a movie that could end up a huge flop. Instead, airing shows on Disneyâ??s channels may be the start to gauge interest and develop the characters more fully, which could then obviously lead to big budget movies. This merger will allow Marvel to reach many new markets worldwide and give them a huge boost in recognition. Marvelâ??s franchise could be put to better use with Disneyâ??s backing in the form of more merchandise, bigger movies, and the potential for more themed rides or areas at any of Disneyâ??s theme parks.
But with the good comes that bad. I still have a few questions regarding this buyout, but my biggest concern is that Disney will try and make Marvel itâ??s own brand. By that, I mean that Disney will completely takeover the franchise, and start doing things Disney-style. Personally, I would prefer Marvel continue to act as itâ??s own company, but gain the financial backing, and marketing opportunities that Disney would bring to the plate.
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jacktrades
15 년 전
Disney To Buy Comics Juggernaut Marvel For $4B
by The Associated Press
text sizeAAAAugust 31, 2009
The Walt Disney Co. said Monday that it plans to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in cash and stock, bringing characters such as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E.
Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of 5,000 Marvel characters. Many of them, including the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, were co-created by the comic book legend Stan Lee.
Analyst David Joyce of Miller Tabak & Co. said the acquisition will help Disney appeal to young men who have flocked to theaters to see Marvel's superhero fare in recent years. That contrasts with Disney's recent successes among young women with such fare as "Hannah Montana" and the Jonas Brothers.
"It helps Disney add exposure to a young male demographic it had sort of lost some balance with," Joyce said, noting the $4 billion offer was at "full price."
Disney said Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash, plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. That values each Marvel share at $50 based on Friday's closing stock prices.
Marvel shares jumped $10.17, or 26 percent, to $48.82 shortly after the market opened. Disney shares fell 47 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $26.37.
Disney said the boards of both companies have approved the transaction, but it will require an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.
Disney CEO Robert Iger said the acquisition combines Marvel's "strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters" with Disney's "unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties" and ability to maximize value across multiple platforms and territories.
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