Global Expansion of Superman from DC Studios Affirmed by Warner Bros. Legal Victory
A federal court in the United States has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at halting the release of James Gunn's Superman film in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The lawsuit, filed by the estate of Superman co-creator Joseph Shuster, was based on an antiquated law that potentially could have prevented the film's screening in countries that were once under British rule.
According to Deadline, the lawsuit was thrown out due to a lack of jurisdictional reach. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that the court did not have the authority to decide on copyright claims based on foreign laws, specifically British copyright law. The judge stated that the lawsuit must be dismissed due to a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.
Warrner Bros. Discovery had opposed the lawsuit, which sought damages, injunctive relief, and declaratory relief for the infringement in the said territories. The ruling stipulates that since the claims were based on foreign law, the U.S. federal court could not adjudicate the matter.
Following the dismissal, the estate refiled the lawsuit in a New York state court with the aim of securing an injunction against the film's release in these foreign markets. By doing so, the estate is bypassing the federal court's jurisdictional limits and attempting to find a jurisdictional venue with a potentially different reach.
The upcoming Superman film is set for a July 11 release and is expected to premier as planned following the court ruling.
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Gizmodo reported on the Future developments of the Superman film, as a federal court in the United States has dismissed a lawsuit aimed at halting its release in several countries. The legal battle, initially filed by the estate of Superman co-creator Joseph Shuster, was centered around an antiquated law that could have potentially prevented its screening in countries under British rule at one point.
Meanwhile, io9 covers various aspects of Entertainment, including movies and TV, so fans can follow the latest news about the Superman film and other franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who, on their platform.
Interestingly, following the federal court dismissal, the estate refiled the lawsuit in a New York state court, seeking to secure an injunction against the film's release in foreign markets. This move bypasses the federal court's jurisdictional limits and aims to find a venue with a potentially different reach.
