Companies continue battle for Marvel superheroes

DENVER — Spider-Man, X-Men and The Hulk will loom large in a federal appeals court as Disney battles for the rights to Marvel’s iconic comic book characters in a longtime dispute.

A panel of the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments today (Oct 28) in an ongoing case involving Colorado-based Stan Lee Media and The Walt Disney Co.

A federal judge last year dismissed a lawsuit in which Stan Lee Media claimed copyright of the characters and sought profits Disney made from movies and merchandise featuring them. Disney bought Marvel in 2009.

Stan Lee Media, which is no longer affiliated with comic book writer Stan Lee, appealed the judge’s order. Disney has argued that other courts have already ruled against Stan Lee Media on the same matter. AP