The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that upheld DC’s rights to a copyright in the design of the Batmobile (see “DC Wins Batmobile Appeal”).  The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case means that the Appeals Court ruling stands.

The case originated when DC Comics sued Mark Towle’s Gotham Garage for producing unauthorized replicas of the Batmobile based on the 60s TV show and the 1989 film.  Towle lost at the local court and appellate court levels, and now has no further avenues for appeal. 

Companies that produce geek entertainment rely on the copyright law to protect their rights in inanimate objects that appear in their products.  This allows companies such as DC to license their designs to toy companies and others interested in selling products based on the objects.