This summer, the Batmobile will roll into a federal appeals court. The 9th Circuit is poised to consider whether Batman’s car is a “character” protected under copyright law. Arguing against that idea is Mark Towle, a Temecula, Calif., mechanic who in 2011 was sued by Warner Bros.’ DC Comics for selling replicas of Batmobiles from the 1960s TV show and 1989 film. Towle is appealing a ruling that says he is liable for infringement.
source: hollywoodreporter.com, Mark Towle