The ongoing legal battle over the copyright of Superman has taken another dramatic turn, as the estate of Joe Shuster - co-creator of the iconic superhero, - filed a new lawsuit against DC Comics and Warner Bros. on Friday.
The suit, lodged in the Southern District of New York, reignites a long-running dispute that dates back to the 1930s, challenging the ownership and rights to one of the most lucrative and enduring characters in comic book history.
This legal action is the latest in a series of attempts by Shuster’s estate to claim ownership over Superman, a case that was last addressed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2013.
At that time, the court ruled in favor of Warner Bros., affirming that Shuster’s sister, who managed his estate after his death in 1992, had waived his rights to the character.
However, Shuster’s estate, now led by attorney Marc Toberoff, has renewed its efforts with a fresh claim that seeks to capitalize on international copyright laws. According to the suit, Shuster’s estate is entitled to Superman’s rights in countries such as the U.K., Canada, Ireland, and Australia, under local copyright laws that automatically revert rights to creators' estates 25 years after their death.
Toberoff contends that the previous legal proceedings, which were limited to U.S. copyright law, have no bearing on international jurisdictions. He also argues that Warner Bros., which controls DC Comics, cannot freely distribute Superman without licensing the character from Shuster’s estate in these territories.
“We live in a global economy; studios like DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. cannot expect foreign countries to respect and enforce U.S. copyright law amidst rampant piracy, if we don’t respect and enforce their copyright laws,” Toberoff stated in a press release.
The suit seeks an injunction to block Warner Bros. from distributing Superman in the aforementioned countries without first obtaining permission from Shuster’s estate, which could potentially lead to a halt in global distribution rights for the character in those markets.
Warner Bros., which is set to release Superman: Legacy on July 11, 2025, has responded firmly, expressing its disagreement with the legal claims. A spokesperson for the studio stated, “We fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit, and will vigorously defend our rights.”
The lawsuit, which is likely to have significant implications for both Superman’s legacy and Warner Bros.’ upcoming projects, marks a new chapter in a saga that has spanned over eight decades.
