Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been enjoyed by families for generations. However, there has been some confusion surrounding who exactly owns the rights to this beloved film. In this article, we will delve into the history of Christmas Vacation and the legal battle over its ownership.
The History of Christmas Vacation
Christmas Vacation was released in 1989 and was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. The film follows the Griswold family as they prepare for Christmas and the arrival of their extended family. The movie stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold, and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie.
The film was a box office success, grossing over $70 million worldwide. It has since become a staple of holiday programming on television and is considered one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.
The Legal Battle Over Ownership
Despite its popularity, there has been a dispute over who owns the rights to Christmas Vacation. In 2016, Warner Bros., which had acquired rights to the movie through its acquisition of National Lampoon in 1989, filed a lawsuit against Living Classics, a company that sells holiday-themed merchandise featuring characters from Christmas Vacation.
Warner Bros. claimed that Living Classics was infringing on their copyright by selling products without permission. Living Classics argued that they had obtained their merchandise through an agreement with Warner Bros.’ former licensing agent.
The case went to trial in 2018, where a jury ruled in favor of Living Classics. The jury found that Warner Bros.’ former agent had authorized Living Classics to sell merchandise featuring characters from Christmas Vacation.
However, Warner Bros. is not giving up their fight for ownership just yet. They have filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in hopes of overturning the decision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ownership of Christmas Vacation is currently in dispute. While Warner Bros. claims to own the rights to the movie, Living Classics was able to successfully argue in court that they had obtained permission to sell merchandise from a former licensing agent. It remains to be seen what the outcome of Warner Bros.’ appeal will be, but in the meantime, fans can continue to enjoy this beloved holiday classic.