Judge backs Fox's rights to Watchmen

[Hand of Evil]

FOX is being FOX, they could not do the movie right, some one else comes along and looks like they have a BIG hit on their hands and now FOX wants part of the action.

If some one had a legal claim to the rights of this movie, it was known and addressed a long time ago. In a way what FOX is doing is legal blackmail, they know their case may not stand up in court but feel they have enough to go to court, delaying the release of the movie and hurting WB enough that a deal looks like a good thing.

Some numbers for you:
WB big hit of the year: The Dark Knight
Domestic: $530,280,291 (53.2%) + Foreign: $465,910,279 (46.8%) = Worldwide: $996,190,570

FOX big hit of the year: Horton Hears a Who
Domestic: $154,529,439 (52.1%) + Foreign: $142,319,000 (47.9%) = Worldwide: $296,848,439

I am not saying FOX things Watchmen will be as big as the Dark Knight but IF it is half as good at the box office, 2% to 5% is damn good and we are not even talking DVD sales!

 

[el-remmen]

I find it amusing.

But then again I am in the Alan Moore camp about the film. . .

 

[frankthedm]

I guess they should just settle and WB should give Fox some proceeds from the film.

Mike
(lawyer)

Am I to assume you don't feel fox should be paid a dime then? The definition of Proceeds sure sounds like Net Profits. Which usually don't exist after Hollywood accounting takes over...

 

[Mistwell]

Actually, I believe Fox DID originally start this earlier this year. This is just Warner's attempt to have it thrown out being overruled by a judge. Thing is, earlier this year, barely anyone cared/knew enough about Watchmen for this to be an issue.

Even at this point, while I don't like seeing this kind of thing, I don't see it stopping the movie. I'd even be surprised if it was delayed at all.

I disagree. Fox's timing of the case was intended to force WB to make the movie and settle with Fox with a portion of the proceeds from the film. They intentionally did not file earlier, though they had everything necessary to do so, because they wanted to put the burden on WB to make the film and do the marketing, and then just collect at the end.

And not "barely anyone knew/cared". This has been one of the most closely watched cases since the moment it was filed. There's been heavy buzz for three years about it.

Of course this will not interrupt the movie. Fox has no intention of actually following through on an injunction. That part is just a negotiation tactic to force a settlement. The last thing Fox actually wants is for the movie to not be released.

 

[Mistwell]

Am I to assume you don't feel fox should be paid a dime then? The definition of Proceeds sure sounds like Net Profits. Which usually don't exist after Hollywood accounting takes over...

By proceeds, it usually means a portion of the ticket price for that context.

 

[megamania]

I hate politics.......


Let's hope the movie comes out on time and is not delayed by this attempt at greed.

So many good movies have been tarnished if not stopped by these kind of....actions.

With the movie being in final stages before release I suspect it will b out on time.... one way or another. But I'm just a factory worker family man...what do I really know.

 

[Vocenoctum]

I disagree. Fox's timing of the case was intended to force WB to make the movie and settle with Fox with a portion of the proceeds from the film. They intentionally did not file earlier, though they had everything necessary to do so, because they wanted to put the burden on WB to make the film and do the marketing, and then just collect at the end.

And not "barely anyone knew/cared". This has been one of the most closely watched cases since the moment it was filed. There's been heavy buzz for three years about it.

Of course this will not interrupt the movie. Fox has no intention of actually following through on an injunction. That part is just a negotiation tactic to force a settlement. The last thing Fox actually wants is for the movie to not be released.

It's been a known issue for a while, why didn't WB clear the issue up ahead of time?

Development In Fox vs Warner Bros ‘Watchmen’ Case | Filmonic

Their summary of the case certainly looks like something should have been cleaned up a long time ago.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I guess they should just settle and WB should give Fox some proceeds from the film.

Damm lawyers

Mike
(lawyer)

Agreed (also lawyer).

 

[Krug]

Looks like it's still Fox:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/business/media/25fox.html

 

[frankthedm]

Now I'm hoping warner vaults / destroys the movie. They can makeup the loss.