There have been more than a few lawsuits, in recent years, about "work for hire", most notably in the comic book world. Some of those came from the estates of creators, as the creators themselves had passed. Things can be rather murky and I mention Ellison, specifically because he doesn't shy away from lawsuits.
Those have always been when shenanigans have been alleged over the original contracts. There is nothing to suggest HE's original contact was in any way shenanigistic, and HE has not challenged anything when the Guardian has appeared in live action, comics or novels. No matter how sympathetic he might feel towards the writers, he won't do anything when he hasn't got a leg to stand on.
Actually, Ellison did sue over the depiction of the Guardian in further material, back in 2009. Not sure hiw that worked out, but the Guardian has shown up in subsequent Star Trek stuff, and at any rate Ellison is currently unlikely to file any lawsuits from beyond the grave.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
As usual, a settlement. so no statement on value.
trekmovie.com
Actually, I gather that being dead leaves you with quite a bit of time on your hands.
Indeed. JRR Tolkien earns far more now than he ever did, while alive.
Fun fact, JMS (of Babylon 5 fame) is the executor of Harlan’s estate. Harlan’s long unpublished anthology The Last Dangerous Visions should be coming out soon and The Lost Aztec Temple of Mars (Harlan’s former home) will be turned into a museum.As usual, a settlement. so no statement on value.
EDIT He passed away in 2018, so it would be his estate that would go after anything.
Harlan Ellison Settles Lawsuit With CBS & Paramount
Back in March we reported that Harlan Ellison was suing CBS and Paramount for merchandising royalties related to his classic episode "City on the Edge of Forever." Yesterday on his site, Ellison announced the suite was "over" and that he was "pleased with the outcome" and that there would be an...
Ellison had a title something like "continuity consultant" for B5.
