The executors (See “What is a California Personal Representative?“) of Superman’s estate – Joanne Siegal and Laura Siegal Larson – have successfully reclaimed the estate’s half of Jerome Siegal’s copyright of Superman by terminating its grant to Warner Brothers, Time Warner, and DC Comics.

The opinion is an interesting read on the creation and promotion of Superman, and also goes into some detail about the treatment of Siegal (and his co-creator Joseph Shuster) by the companies. Apparently, DC Comics had given them very little money in return for the copyright – until a 1961 New York Times article pointed out they were nearly “destitute” and living with “threadbare furniture” in “cramped apartments.” You can find the opinion here Siegel v. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., 542 F. Supp. 2d 1098, (C.D. Cal., 2008), thanks to Professor Beyer for highlighting the article.

Filed under: Current Events, Estate Administration, Estate Planning - Generally, San Diego Estate Planning, Will Contests, Wills