The battle over the rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters is about to start up again, reports the
Independent, as a number of legal actions head back to court. At stake is a lucrative market
in film, TV, toys, and other goods. Pooh is currently controlled by Walt Disney, and is the company's most profitable character. It's estimated that the franchises bring in as much as $6 billion a
year. The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to offer an opinion on an attempt by creator A.A. Milne's granddaughter, Clare, which was backed by Disney, to take back the rights granted by Milne to
his American agent, Stephen Slesinger, in 1930. They are now owned by Slesinger's widow and daughter. The case has been referred back to a lower court for further consideration, and other
parties--including the granddaughter of the original artist--may weigh in. The Pooh revenue is so important to Disney's profitability that the legal battles will likely continue far into the future,
according to the Slesingers' lawyer, Steven Sherr.
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at The Independent »
