Judge: Marvel has Ghost Driver rights

Released: Thu., 12 ,. 29, 2011, 4:58pm PTA federal court judge has rejected a comicbook author's claim they can the level of smoothness Ghost Driver, ruling it had been apparent that Marvel Comics had the rights for the superhero. In the ruling launched on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest granted summary judgment to Marvel after concluding that, even though Gary Friedrich produced and written the initial comic that introduced the level of smoothness in 1972, he conveyed rights for the character by marketing assessments from Marvel by signing a 1978 agreement that "effectively ended any remaining possession claims" he may have observed. Friedrich remains pursuing the rights for the character since 2004, as plans were inside the is utilized with a movie adaptation eventually released in 2007 and starring Nicolas Cage. A follow-up is within the works well with release next season. He'd contended he maintained rights as they did his behave as an independent worker, which even though he signed over rights for the character, he did not sign inside the rights to non-comic used in films, TV and selling. But Forrest rejected people arguments. She mentioned that they didn't have to "travel lower the rabbit hole" of when the jobs are made "servicesInch or outdoors of Marvel. She noted that his freelance assessments contained a legend round the back watching that by marketing them, Marvel maintained the level of smoothness rights. "Regulations is apparent that whenever an individual encourages an inspection prone to an condition, he accepts that condition," Forrest written. She also mentioned the 1978 agreement "unquestionably conveyed whatever renewal rights he may have maintained, if any." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com