Perhaps in a case of such magnitude it’s only worthy of the Avengers, Stan Lee Media Inc. is taking on Disney in yet another landmark battle for copyright infringement. The claim on part of Stan Lee Media Inc. states Disney does not possess rightful ownership of Stan Lee’s notable characters – this despite having released the wildly successful film by the same name this past summer.
Disney purchased a heaping portion of the Marvel Universe for several billion dollars early on in 2009. The claim alleges that Lee, despite having signed a written contract with several parties, did not have the right to sell off his characters in the first place. By default, Stan Lee Media Inc. may have proper ownership of the iconic team of Avengers if reports turn out to be true.
While it’s hard to imagine the case working against the mighty mouse at its center, the loss of the Avengers, a brand that’s netted Disney over $1 billion in earnings thus far, could prove disastrous.
Disney also made headlines across the nation when they purchased the rights to popular franchise, Star Wars, much to the chagrin of many hardcore fans. Pending the Avengers case, Disney may still yet have a powerful foothold in iconic lore for fantasy lovers everywhere.