Not much known yet other than they have gone to court, currently on front page of the Drudge Report.
Originally posted by: BatmanNate
I can't blame them.
Originally posted by: BatmanNate
I can't blame them.
**Exclusive**
**Must Credit Drudge Report**
SONY may be on the verge of losing its SPIDERMAN blockbuster franchise, the DRUDGE REPORT can revealed, after MARVEL CHARACTERS INC. accuses the Japanese media giant of fraudulent inducement to make a contract and engaging in unfair competition.
MORE
Sealed court papers show MARVEL wants to revoke SONY's SPIDERMAN license, it has been learned.
Both sides are set to square off on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court before Judge Alexander Williams III.
The first SPIDERMAN grossed $403,706,375. And with a lucrative sequel pending, along with a planned SPIDERMAN 3, the case has quickly become top draw on Litigate's Row.
MORE
MARVEL wants to revoke the SPIDERMAN license; MARVEL wants injunctive relief, and is asking the court to enjoin SONY from going forward with the SPIDERMAN license, insiders tell DRUDGE.
The loss of SPIDERMAN could affect all of SONY's future financial plans -- for its U.S. entertainment company.
MARVEL accuses SONY of literally kidnapping Spidey.
MARVEL is not upset about the way SONY made the movies; it's about the way SONY is handling the merchandising.
MARVEL retained merchandising rights but agreed to a joint venture for some of the SPIDERMAN merchandising, insiders say.
In sealed papers, MARVEL says SONY should not continue advertising SPIDERMAN as a SONY character and marketing him as such through a constellation of SONY consumer products.
SONY had courted MARVEL very aggressively to get the licensing rights and promised the merchandising joint venture would not interfere with the comic co's own merchandising.
MARVEL is accusing SONY of doing everything it can to disassociate SPIDERMAN and MARVEL in the minds of retailers.
MARVEL also feels SONY has wrongfully withheld several millions of dollars it is owed.
Developing...
Originally posted by: vash
There is a lawsuit, that was filed last year by both Marvel and Stan Lee. The base of it (as I understand), Marvel did not receive the appropriate royalties from the movie AND Stan Lee did not receive his appropriate cut (Mr. Marvel is due his slice). Sony is essentially breaking the contract by not paying up, so Marvel has the right to revoke its license.
I say if Sony don't pay, Marvel can easily get another company to license Spiderman and other Marvel characters.
vash
Originally posted by: Babbles
If that is the case, then heck yeah I would support Marvel. Seems like maybe Sony got a bit too greedy there.