In Which The Lawyers Fight Over Copyrights

It seems that every time you turn around, some celebrity is embroiled in a big lawsuit. Lawsuits are a big part of show biz, but, only the show biz that makes serious cash. Deals are often cut early on and then regretted later. I’ve seen this first hand when an artist/writer sells rights to creative property. No matter how justified quick cash seems at the time, it’s going to bug them for eternity. Bottom line is; contracts stick.

This time it’s Winnie the Pooh. This is how I understand the case. Writer A.A. Milne created the character “Pooh” and then sold the U.S. right to heirs of Steven Slesinger in 1930. The Slesinger family licensed their rights to Disney in 1961 then, re-negotiated the deal in 1983. Meanwhile, Milne’s granddaughter has sought to reclaim the rights and Disney has backed her.

Now, a federal judge in California has granted a summary judgement in favor of Slesinger. You gotta know that Disney is “lawyered up” more than just about anybody. Evidently, they felt pretty confident as it appears they owe royalties from the interim.

According to Slesinger’s attorney in this Breitbart story…

“Now that Disney’s misguided claims have been dismissed, we can focus on pursuing Slesinger’s claims against Disney for damages, trademark and copyright infringement, breach of contract, and fraudulently underpaying royalties, and seeking in excess of two billion dollars in compensatory and general damages,”

Two Billion buys a lot of honey.

Here is what I don’t get. Disney is known for being sticklers when it comes to intellectual property, licensing, and copyrights. Just see what happens to you if you try to sell knock-off Mickey Mouse gear in your roadside stand.

So what is Disney’s angle? Do they think that there is some “moral” reason that the 1930 deal with Milne should not be valid? That doesn’t make sense.

Do they think that whatever contract that was struck in 1930 is faulty? Well, a federal judge doesn’t and one would think that Disney’s law team would be pretty adept at contract law.

I may be stepping out on a limb here but maybe; just maybe; this has to do with money. It is conceivable that Disney could cut a more favorable deal with Milne’s granddaughter in the event that the copyright was over turned. Or, failing that, at least throw so many lawyers at this Slesinger guy that he would agree to some type of settlement.

A contract sticks even in the 100 acre wood.