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Disney sued over 'Pooh Bear Royalties'
13 Nov 2009Winnie-the-Pooh is at the centre of a legal storm over his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood.
The firm founded by the man responsible for making the bear with very little brain big in the States is dragging Disney through the courts in a bid to get allegedly unpaid royalties.
Lawyers for Stephen Slesinger Inc filed papers at Los Angeles District Court last week calling for redress, claiming "past improper business practices" on behalf of the Mickey Mouse company.
Disney has denied the claims, with a spokeswoman adding that the issue had already been dealt with in past court judgments.
Slesinger purchased the US and Canadian distribution rights for Pooh from AA Milne in 1931.
After a makeover which included the addition of a red shirt, the bear became a global phenomenon.
In 1961, some eight years after Slesinger's death, the rights were licensed to Disney, which proceeded to produce a series of successful films, TV shows and spin-off books and toys.
Eric George, lawyer for Slesinger, said the family are owed 1.5% to 2.5% in royalties.
A spokesman for the firm said Disney has been concealing the amount of money it has earned from Pooh mechanising.
Disney has retorted that the latest legal move is "baffling", citing a September 25 decision by Judge Florence-Marie Cooper that rejected the Slesinger company's claims.
"In 19 years of litigation, every legal claim the Slesinger company has filed against Disney has been dismissed by the courts and Disney's position has been vindicated every step of the way," Disney spokeswoman Michelle Bergman said.
The appeal for unpaid royalties, filed on November 4, marks the latest move in a prolonged legal tussle.
In 2004, a Superior Court judge threw out a Slesinger Inc lawsuit on the grounds that the firm had illegally obtained confidential documents from Disney's offices and rubbish.
