HOLLYWOOD - Spider-Man creator Stan Lee has won a court battle against Marvel comics entitling him to millions of dollars in royalties. Lee, who created the superhero in 1962, has been awarded 10 percent of Marvel's profits from 2002 blockbuster Spider-Man and last year's sequel Spider-Man 2.
The films made $1.6 billion at the international box office. Lee, 82, had accused Marvel, who employed him for 60 years, of backing out on an agreement to give him 10 percent.
Judge Robert W. Sweet ruled Lee's royalties should be backdated to November 1998 and will include a share of profits from DVD sales and some merchandising.
After the hearing Lee said, "I am gratified by the judge's decision although, since I am deeply fond of Marvel and the people there, I sincerely regret that the situation had to come to this."
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