The fate of forthcoming Warner Bros. superhero flick 'Watchmen', will be decided when the federal lawsuit heads for trial next month. Fox is suing Warner Bros. over certain copyright issues relating to the film based on an Alan Moore novel.

Fox filing the suit last February claims distribution rights of Warner Bros. film adaptation, contending the latter together with financing partner Legendary Pictures, shot the film without acquiring all remaining interest in the adventure novel, owned by 20th Century Fox. Warner Bros. deny Fox's claim that it holds the copyright to 'Watchmen', having bought it in the late 1980s, including having spent over $1-million on project development.

According to a 5-page order issued by U. S. District Court Judge Gary A. Feess on Christmas Eve, it seems the judge intends to grant Fox either ownership of copyright interest or distribution rights to the movie. In consequence, it means, Warner Bros. has infringed on those rights, by shooting the film. With a trial date set for 20th January, lawyers for both parties to the suit indicate any settlement is unlikely.

Even while, Fox is pressing to delay the release of the film, Warner Bros. say they will release the film on schedule i. e. 6th March release.