The appeals court agreed in a 2-1 decision, finding that Paramount retained the copyright in its 1955 agreement with UM&M TV, and actually sold Betty Boop to Harvey Films the animation arm of Harvey Comics, now owned by Classic Media some three years later. Judge Florence Marie Cooper ruled the 'Fleischer heirs' failed to show proof of any of the transfers the plaintiffs alleged took place after Paramount purchased the rights in 1942. A decade later, Republic allegedly transferred the rights back to Fleischer Studios. It was announced in 2011 that the Fleischer family did not own the copyright or trademark of Betty Boop and cannot sue others for using the character's image. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision that a half-dozen manufacturers of Betty Boop merchandise hadn’t infringed on Fleischer Studios' copyright because the Fleischer Studios couldn't demonstrate it has one. The Fleischer family contended that Paramount transferred its Betty Boop rights in 1955 to UM&M TV, which three years later sold them to the company that eventually became Republic Pictures. Presumably to make new movies featuring the character, although there is no evidence Harvey ever did, minus a drawing of a Harvey-styled Betty Boop from the 1950s that most recently surfaced. Freundlich lawsuit, Harvey Films (also known as Harvey Entertainment, The Harvey Entertainment Company or simply Harvey) an animation production arm of comic book publisher Harvey Comics which was founded in 1957 were sold the rights to Betty Boop in the 1950s and according to information, during the 1970s the Fleischer family tried to buy the rights back to the character and were convinced they were the exclusive owner of Betty Boop.Īccording to court details Harvey were going to reboot Betty Boop. Aside from the $250,000 Helen Kane lawsuit from 1932-1934 and the millionaire doll manufacturer Ralph A. The reason for the suits was 'who had actually owned' the rights to the character. Betty Boop has been in and out of court which has been ongoing for several decades.

Betty boop infant costume