WALT DISNEY - OH, BOTHER, JUDGE TOSSES OUT DISNEY'S POOH SUIT

A federal judge in Los Angeles has turned back an effort by the Walt Disney Co. to terminate licensing agreements for the Winnie the Pooh characters that it has with the estate of Stephen Slesinger. Roger Zissu, an attorney representing the Slesinger estate, said in a statement, "The fact that the court has now held that there is no need even for a trial concerning either termination notice shows that Disney had no business starting this lawsuit in the first place." The ruling, the latest episode in a 16-year battle between Disney and Slesinger, apparently clears the way for the trial of Slesinger's $2-billion lawsuit against Disney for damages, trademark and copyright infringement, breach of contract, and fraudulently underpaying royalties."

19/02/2007