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Lucille Hardy Price, Ida K.Laurel and Larry Harmon Pictures Corp.brought suit against Hal Roach Studios and its licensees, Richard Feiner & Co. and Overseas Programming Companies Ltd.the action sought injunctive relief and damages for unauthorized utilization of the names and likenesses of "Laurel & Hardy" in novelty items such as sweatshirts statues in advertising and in a projected television serial.The Judge Charles Stewart of NY Federal Court ruled that the widows possessed the rights to merchandise the names and likenesses of the comedians.The judge further ruled in rejecting that the names and likenesses had entered into the public domain  after the actors' death.the court found that the actors' right of publicity is a property right which was fully descendible to their heirs.the judge also noted the decision by the California Court in favor of the heirs of Bela Lugosi against Universal Studios for the unauthorized use of Lugosi's likeness in marketing "Count Dracula" products.

This case was decided in July 1975 and was noted publicly in Variety on July 30th 1975 issue.

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