DC, Capstone Sponsor Kids Contest

DC Entertainment and chapter book licensee Capstone are sponsoring a superhero writing contest for kids in grades 3-6, the companies announced.  The contest, "Be a Super Hero, Read!," asks kids to write about a real hero in their lives, describing their powers such as courage, generosity, or imagination.  The winner will receive a trip for four to Warner Bros. Animation Studios and DC Entertainment offices, and the person described in the winning essay will receive a $2500 donation to the charity of his or her choice. DC Entertainment and chapter book licensee Capstone are sponsoring a superhero writing contest for kids in grades 3-6, the companies announced.  The contest, "Be a Super Hero, Read!," asks kids to write about a real hero in their lives, describing their powers such as courage, generosity, or imagination.  Essays are to be written between March 1st and April 15th.  Then on May 15th, kids will be able to vote online for the winner, which will be announced at Book Expo America.

Counterfeit Anime Merch Brings Lawsuit

Funimation has sued the parent company of the Animeland anime conventions over unlicensed merchandise sold at the shows. The suit, filed in federal court, alleges that Animeland parent Think Art Media, owned by Miller Isaiah Timmons, also produces vinyl decals using anime properties ‘distributed in the U.S. by Funimation.   

The suit is not the first contact between Funimation and Timmons, the complaint alleges, recounting that Timmons responded to one warning with, “You can’t be at every convention.” 

Illicit merchandise sold at an Animeland convention in Aurora, Colorado last weekend included pocket watches tied to Fullmetal Alchemist, and “Dragon Balls” from Dragon Ball Z, according to the complaint.   After being warned about the knock-offs, “…Defendants instructed convention staff specifically not to take any action to remedy the infringing activity,” it said.

The suit requests injunctions requiring that Timmons cease and desist from infringement and turn in infringing products, statutory damages, fees, and costs. 

Siegel Superman Litigation Continues

The Siegel heirs have mounted a new attack on the agreement, according to Hollywood Reporter, alleging that even if the 2001 agreement that the court ruled was valid was indeed a contract, that DC did not perform under the contract. “DC anticipatorially breached by… demanding unacceptable new and revised terms as a condition to its performance; accordingly, the Siegels rescinded the agreement, and DC abandoned the agreement,” the latest filing says. The long-running legal battle between the heirs of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and Warner Bros. is continuing despite a big ruling at the appeals court level in favor of Warmers. 

The Siegels are also arguing that the Copyright Act does not allow contractually agreeing to transfer terminated copyright rights before they are terminated, a theory that has worked in some cases, but not in others. 

On the other hand, Warners has filed for summary judgment that its 2001 agreement with Siegel is enforceable, and says that it believes that the dispute can be “fully and finally resolved in the next 60 to 90 days.” Warners has a strong incentive to wrap things up; its high stakes Superman film, Man of Steel, premieres in June. 

Halle Berry in 'X-Men'

Halle Berry has joined the cast of X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer has announced on Twitter.  The sequel is turning out to be star-packed, with actors from both X-Men movie series.  New talent has also joined the cast, like Omar Sy and Peter Dinklage. 

Iron Man Team in New Poster

The poster for Iron Man 3 shows a team of armored flyers rising as Tony Stark’s house is falling into the sea.  The Mandarin was the reveal in the last poster, released last week.  The film will release May 3rd, 2013.

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Chris Cooper in Spidey Sequel

Chris Cooper has joined the cast of Amazing Spider-Man 2 as Norman Osborn, according to Variety. The cast is now largely complete. Cooper is perhaps best known for his role in Lonesome Dove, but he’s also done a ton of movie work.

Omar Sy Joins 'X-Men'

 

Omar Sy (Intouchables) has joined the cast of X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer announced on Twitter.  Sy joins past X-Men stars new and old and the recently added Peter Dinklage in the cast.  The film opens July 18, 2014.