Date: 20th March 2007

Dispute over Spider-Man ownership


An internet publishing firm is taking legal action against comic book company Marvel, claiming part-ownership of superheroes such as Spider-Man.

Associated Press reported the case was filed in New York last week by Stan Lee Media, a company originally co-founded by Spider-Man creator Stan Lee.

Now under new ownership, the firm claims Lee signed away rights to his famous comic book creations in 1998.

Marvel deemed the legal action "without merit", while Lee called it "baseless".

Source: Press Release