Fox Wins "Watchmen" Case

Judge Gary Allen Feess ruled Wednesday that Fox owns the distribution rights to the film adaptation of Watchmen, which Warner Brothers plans to release in March.

The decision by Feess was rather unexpected, as he had stated in previous hearings that he believed the issues in the copyright lawsuit could only be settled in a trial. He had moved back the court date to January 20 just one week earlier.

According to the written order, "Fox owns a copyright interest consisting of, at the very least, the right to distribute the 'Watchmen' motion picture." Feess said he would provide a more detailed ruling soon.

The ruling further suggested Fox and Warner Brothers move towards a settlement or appeal.

Fox acquired the rights to Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore's graphic novel in the '80s, but eventually abandoned the project. Producer Lawrence Gordon then took the story to Warner Brothers, and it was shot with 300 director Zack Snyder. Fox filed a lawsuit in February.

Warner Brothers shows no signs of changing its March 6 release for the much-hyped film, which stars Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup.