Impending trial dates have a funny way of inspiring settlement agreements …. TE
SOURCE: Reuters.com
By: Bernard Vaughan NEW YORK
“Marvel Comics has agreed to settle a lawsuit by a comic book writer who sued the publisher over the copyright to the flaming-skulled character Ghost Rider. The agreement, disclosed in a letter filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, if finalized would resolve five-years of litigation brought by former Marvel freelancer Gary Friedrich, who claimed he created the motorcycle-riding vigilante.
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Gary Friedrich began considering legal action against the comic book company in 2004 when he learned of an impending movie adaptation. He sued Marvel for copyright infringement, claiming that he owned the character and its use in films as well as toys, video games and other merchandise. Marvel argued that while Friedrich contributed ideas, the comic was created through a collaborative process.”
Read the complete article “Marvel, writer agree to settle Ghost Rider copyright suit” at Reuters.com
**Hot Topic presented originally by T. Wise, member the faux student firm of Zarefoss, Petrou & McClogan in my Copyright & Trademark class.**