ULTRAMAN controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile5 entries
2019
Appeal and retrial efforts rejected
Further proceedings did not overturn the U.S. determination favoring Tsuburaya. Chaiyo-related parties faced damages and legal costs, while the dispute also continued to generate related proceedings in Thailand.
2017
U.S. court rejects competing Ultraman rights claim
A Los Angeles court found for Tsuburaya Productions in litigation involving Chaiyo-related entities and concluded that the alleged agreement relied upon by the opposing parties was not authentic. The ruling prohibited unauthorized exploitation of the Ultra Series and related characters.
2014
Malaysia bans Ultraman comic
Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs banned Ultraman: The Ultra Power after objecting to religious terminology used to describe Ultraman King. Authorities said the comparison could confuse Muslim children and affect religious faith.
2004
Thai and Japanese litigation produces conflicting rights outcomes
A series of court decisions during the Chaiyo dispute produced competing interpretations of overseas rights. The matter affected licensing, films, and commercial exploitation of Ultra characters in several Asian markets.
1976
Alleged overseas rights agreement with Chaiyo Productions
Chaiyo Productions claimed that an agreement signed by a Tsuburaya family representative granted it broad rights to Ultraman outside Japan. Tsuburaya Productions disputed the document’s authenticity and scope, producing a prolonged international copyright and licensing conflict.