Spider-Man Rights Challenged

Stan Lee Media has filed a suit against Marvel Comics for 50% of the proceeds from Spider-Man and several other Stan Lee-created characters. Stan Lee called the suit "baseless." The group claims Lee signed away his rights in 1998 in exchange for stock and a salary, but Lee called them "rogue opportunists." In fact, Lee took action against the group's new management earlier this year.

Marvel claims the suit is "without merit." Stan Lee Media was launched in 1998 by Stan Lee and businessman, Peter F. Paul. Initial stock prices soared. Paul was later found guilty of manipulating the stock, but Lee was not implicated in the charges. The company went bankrupt six years ago but has since resurfaced.

Lee recently won a suit which awarded him 10% of the profits from the Spider-Man movie franchise.