First off, MODS I apologize because I know there is another topic about this somewhere with far better opinions and comments than I could come up with. But I spent 20 minutes trying to find it and couldn't do it.

For those who have been following the twists and turns, looks like this is finally winding down. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled today in WB/DC's favor. While I really hate big corporations as a general rule, I'm actually on their side in this one. WB/DC agreed to pay them MILLIONS in 2001 and they signed away their rights. Then along came Mr. Toberoff who is pretty much the scum of the earth. If you doubt me go look the guy up. In the dictionary under ambulance chaser there's no definition, just his picture. And he convinced them they could get more. All for doing... nothing. Not a thing. Simply for being the second cousin's mother's dead dog's former groomer or some crap like that of Segel & Schuster.

And the best part is it actually clears the way for WB/DC to continue with their countersuit against Toberoff.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/warner- ... ight-case/

Shouldn't Superman be in public domain by now?

1938 was a LOOOOONG time ago. I didn't think copyright ever went past 75 years.

If I remember correctly, DC is one of those like Walt Disney that keeps getting the copyright / trademark whatever it is extended. Although technically, this would just NOW be the 75th anniversary. But my understanding is that they've applied for exemptions and things like that and because they are who they are (again like Disney), it keeps them from going to the public domain.

Which is complete and utter crap.

If you don't milk enough profit out of your creation in 75 years, that's your problem.

No argument there, but it's no more ludicrous than the heirs claiming they were owed something in my book haha. There are several properties that are at or past that limit. Heck, by all accounts The Hobbit should be in the public domain by now. It was first published in 1937.

Don't ask me how that stuff works though. I know there are all kinds of laws for that stuff and I couldn't begin to truly understand it.

CGBGrey explains copyright law and how its been subverted by corporations here:

http://youtu.be/tk862BbjWx4

[this link should work, sorry]