WATCHMEN Trial Gets Early January Date
By: Jarrod SarafinDate: Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Source: Hollywood Reporter
The executives over at Warner Bros. may have caught an early break in the ongoing Watchmen battle with 20th Century Fox. Last week, The New York Times reported that the case likely wouldn't be hitting a courtroom until April or June, a time which called into doubt whether Warner Bros. would make their March 6, 2009 debut. The trades are now reporting that U.S. District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess has set a January 6, 2009 trial date.
The judge also told 20th Century Fox to forgo any attempt to get a preliminary injunction against Warners to stop the release of the film because the issues were far too complex to be resolved on an interim basis. Feess told both sides to start building a factual record and start expedited discovery and depositions immediately.
Fox still could ask Feess to permanently enjoin Warners from releasing the film following the discovery phase.
At issue is whether Fox still holds the rights to Watchmen. The studio sued Warners in February for copyright infringement and interference with its contract rights under a 1991 agreement between Fox and Largo Entertainment producer Larry Gordon.
Under that deal, Fox "quitclaimed" its right to the property to Largo, with the understanding that if the production company proceeded with making a big-screen version, then the movie would be distributed by Fox. It later negotiated a "turnaround notice" with Gordon that established a buyout formula for the studio if Gordon wanted to buy out Fox's rights. But, according to Fox, Gordon failed to follow that deal.
Gordon negotiated a quitclaim contract with Warners in 2006, which it claims gave them the rights to the property But Fox contends it retains the rights because of Gordon's failure to buy out the studio's rights. Warners said Fox gave up its rights in 1991.
More From Mania
Comics2Film: PUNISHER, WATCHMEN and WOLVERINE
COMICSCAPE: Watching out for a WATCHMEN sequel
(Wednesday, November 26, 2008)
Dave Gibbons Shares His Thoughts on “Watching the Watchmen”
(Monday, November 3, 2008)
WATCHMEN MOTION COMICS Chapter 3 online now
(Friday, October 24, 2008)
WATCHMEN: Snyder and Gibbons speak in NY
(Wednesday, October 8, 2008)
Alan Moore on the 'Watchmen' movie
(Friday, July 18, 2008)
'Watchmen' action figures featuring Dr Manhattan!
(Tuesday, May 20, 2008)
Zack Snyder reveals the 'Watchmen'
(Wednesday, August 1, 2007)
See more related content





















At least the trial is in January, still hope it won't get delayed.
I will boycott you Fox bitches!!!