Darkbeer
08-04-2004, 11:32 PM
Stephen Slesinger, Inc. Press Release
Federal District Court Allows Stephen Slesinger, Inc. to Plead Claims Against Disney for Inducing the Attempted Termination of Winnie-the-Pooh Contract
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 -- The U.S. District Court, Central District of California today issued an important decision in the ongoing Federal copyright case between Disney and Stephen Slesinger, Inc. ("Slesinger"), among others, in which the heirs of A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard are seeking to terminate the rights of Slesinger to the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise and regrant such rights to Disney.
The Federal Court's decision allows Slesinger to plead claims against Disney for inducing the heirs' attempted termination of Slesinger's rights. Moreover, Slesinger has been given the right to seek remedies from Disney that include the termination of all of Disney's future rights to exploit Winnie-the-Pooh characters.
The most profitable of all the characters Disney markets, Pooh is estimated to be worth between $3 billion and $6 billion in annual revenues to Disney, representing 15 to 20% of the company's business.
The Federal Court's decision states that if Slesinger prevails on its breach of good faith and fair dealing claim against Disney, "rescission of the 1983 Agreement may be an appropriate remedy." The Court also held that Slesinger's "allegations, if true, could support a claim for unfair business practices" against Disney.
In addition, the Court rejected Disney's effort to stay full discovery, ruling that full discovery shall move forward in the case.
Roger Zissu, of Fross, Zelnick, Lehrman and Zissu, Slesinger's attorney in the Federal lawsuit, said, "This is a very good decision that enables Slesinger to seek remedies against Disney, including the termination of Disney's rights under the 1983 Agreement, for Disney's wrongful conduct." A. A. Milne licensed Pooh characters to Slesinger in the 1930's, who in turn assigned rights to Disney in 1961. Disney convinced the heirs of A. A. Milne and Slesinger to enter into a new agreement in 1983, but now is seeking to avoid its obligations to Slesinger thereunder.
Federal District Court Allows Stephen Slesinger, Inc. to Plead Claims Against Disney for Inducing the Attempted Termination of Winnie-the-Pooh Contract
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 -- The U.S. District Court, Central District of California today issued an important decision in the ongoing Federal copyright case between Disney and Stephen Slesinger, Inc. ("Slesinger"), among others, in which the heirs of A. A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard are seeking to terminate the rights of Slesinger to the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise and regrant such rights to Disney.
The Federal Court's decision allows Slesinger to plead claims against Disney for inducing the heirs' attempted termination of Slesinger's rights. Moreover, Slesinger has been given the right to seek remedies from Disney that include the termination of all of Disney's future rights to exploit Winnie-the-Pooh characters.
The most profitable of all the characters Disney markets, Pooh is estimated to be worth between $3 billion and $6 billion in annual revenues to Disney, representing 15 to 20% of the company's business.
The Federal Court's decision states that if Slesinger prevails on its breach of good faith and fair dealing claim against Disney, "rescission of the 1983 Agreement may be an appropriate remedy." The Court also held that Slesinger's "allegations, if true, could support a claim for unfair business practices" against Disney.
In addition, the Court rejected Disney's effort to stay full discovery, ruling that full discovery shall move forward in the case.
Roger Zissu, of Fross, Zelnick, Lehrman and Zissu, Slesinger's attorney in the Federal lawsuit, said, "This is a very good decision that enables Slesinger to seek remedies against Disney, including the termination of Disney's rights under the 1983 Agreement, for Disney's wrongful conduct." A. A. Milne licensed Pooh characters to Slesinger in the 1930's, who in turn assigned rights to Disney in 1961. Disney convinced the heirs of A. A. Milne and Slesinger to enter into a new agreement in 1983, but now is seeking to avoid its obligations to Slesinger thereunder.