I haven't talked about Superman and litigation in about three years (see Superboy Lawsuit), but don't worry, it's still going on. I think we're on year #62, actually.

Yep, Supe's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first sued back in 1947.

Well, technically last year Siegel's heirs were awarded half of Superman's copyright. (Which you think I would have mentioned but never did - guess I was busy in Dubai).

But as lawsuits seem to beget more lawsuits, the newly emboldened heirs then sued Time Warner, DC Comic's corporate parent, and Warner Brothers, producer of Superman Returns and Smallville - accusing the corporate siblings of giving each other below-market cost deals for the character rights.

So long-story not-so-short, here's a good article from Hollywood magazine Variety about the whole mess: "Warner Bros. wins 'Superman' case".