Judge OKs 20th Century’s ‘Watchmen’ claim

A federal judge granted a copyright ownership claim by the Hollywood studio, 20th Century Fox, regarding the forthcoming film Watchmen.

U.S. District Judge Gary A. Feess said in his ruling Wednesday Fox owns copyright interest in the action film created by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, The New York Times said.

Fox had taken the other studios to court as part of its attempt to block Warner’s release of the superhero film, based on a graphic novel by writer Alan Moore.

The film version, directed by 300 head Zack Snyder,” had been scheduled for release in March 2009.

Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the ‘Watchmen’ motion picture, the Central California judge said in his ruling.

Fox purchased rights for Watchmen in the 1980s but never completed production of a film version of the popular novel, the Times said.

The parties may wish to turn their efforts from preparing for trial to negotiating a resolution of this dispute or positioning the case for review, he added in reference to Fox and Warner.