STAN LEE - LEE SUED FOR $750 MILLION

LEE SUED FOR $750 MILLION

Comic book legend STAN LEE is facing a $750 million (£528 million) suit from the shareholders of a company bearing his name, over film and book profits. Lee - the man behind Spider-Man, Hulk and the X-Men - and Marvel are being sued by the shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc. (SLMI) - which was declared bankrupt in 2001.
In a lawsuit filed at Manhattan's U.S. District Court, the shareholders claim Lee signed away all his interest in the Marvel brand and its characters over to them.
SLMI was placed in reorganisation and bankruptcy by Lee in 2001, but re-emerged in 2006. Lee went on to sue the organisation on the grounds of cypersquatting and copyright infringement.
Marvel states the latest suit, filed on Monday (26Jan09), is filled with "ridiculous claims".
Lee's legal representative, Mark Williams, adds, "We look forward to a positive resolution for Stan Lee and his family."