Batman’s Motorcycle Sparks Lawsuit Over Merchandising Cash

Holy legal action — man claims that he’s owed money from toy inspired by vehicle from ’60s TV show

batman batcycle

To the courthouse, Robin!

The Batcycle featured in the 1960s TV series “Batman” has sparked a lawsuit over merchandising money.

The complaint was filed in federal court in California on Friday by David Kaufman, who’s described as a “close friend” of Richard Korkes, who constructed and created the logo for the motorcycle.

Kaufman claims that Korkes, who died earlier this month, was entitled to a share of the profits from merchandising relating to the Batcycle.

Kaufman says that Korkes contacted him in July 2012, saying that he had seen a Batcycle toy in a local store, and asked Kaufman to look into it. Kaufman also claims that Korkes assigned him the proceeds from the contract shortly thereafter.

According to the complaint, Warner Bros. — named as a defendant in the suit, along with Twentieth Century Fox Television — launched a line of toys inspired by the ’60s show in March 2013, with licensees including Mattel, New Era and others. The lawsuit further states that Warner Bros. and Mattel renewed their agreement in January 2014.

Kaufman’s suit says that, when attorneys for he and Korkes reached out to Fox and Warner Bros., Fox told them that they did not have the agreement that Korkes allegedly entered into.

Warner Bros. had no comment on the lawsuit for TheWrap, which is awaiting response from Twentieth Century Fox Television.

Alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment and other counts, the suit is seeking unspecified damages.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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