Chaney Family Suing Universal

Steve Barton   |  

Jun 4, 2013

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The late great Lon Chaney, Jr., is synonymous with one classic monster movie character, and if you don’t know which, you should trade in your horror fan membership card. (Yes, we have them. Okay, maybe we don’t, but it’d be cool if we did.) Years after his demise his family is now suing the studio that he helped put on the map.

According to Deadline, Chaney Jr’s family today went after Universal in the courts for more than $1 million in damages. In a nine-page breach of contract and other claims complaint filed Monday in LA Superior Court, Chaney Entertainment alleges that Universal Studios Licensing uses the Wolf Man/Mummy/Frankenstein actor’s likeness for merchandise and goods and services despite the fact that a representation agreement between the studio and the company expired on December 31, 2008.

“Universal’s continued exploitation of the Chaney’s rights has been done intentionally in conscious disregards of the rights of Chaney, and with malice, fraud, or oppression towards Chaney, thereby entitling Chaney to an award of punitive damages according to proof at trial,” reads the complaint. Seeking restoration of full rights to the actor’s likeness and image, a full accounting and payment of funds allegedly due plus 10% per annum in interest, the complaint also wants all legal fees paid by the defendants as well as consequential and punitive damages.

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