neh, neh, neh, neh, neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh , neh COPYRIGHT!

The Times reports that Carmine Infantino, the creator of Batman, Batgirl and superhero The Flash is suing Time Warner and DC Comics, his former employers, for copyright infringement in the US. Infantino, who claims he revived the fortunes of Batman in the 1960s, decided to sue after he saw and interview with a Warner Bros executive who failed to mention him as the creator of the characters. Infantino worked in a freelance capacity for DC Comics, which was later bought by Warner Brothers between 1943 and 1967. The arrangement was that once his pay-check was signed by all parties, he relinquished all rights. Copyright in Batman is particularly sensitive since a new Batman film is to be released by Warner Bros next year.

The IPKat says that it’s hard to comment on the rights and wrongs of this case without seeing the conditions of employment and any assignments of copyright that were made. However, if you want to be a Boy Wonder, make sure ownership of copyright in employees’ creations are sorted out in advance, particularly if the employee is free lance. Copyright is freelance employees’ work has also caused problems in the UK in the recent case of Griggs v Evans .

Batman here, here and here
Batgirl here
The truth about Batgirl here
Batmobile here, here, here and here