While I don't know if he has good case or not, I would agree on the surface it does not look like he has a great case and it may be hard to prove what his role was or wasn't. That being said he and his Legal council believe he has some sort of case and until it gets settled or dismissed so would the courts appear to be in at least review of the case. As far as the other information I don't know if Stan had a formal role in SLG Entertainment per sey other than Consultative as part of POW!
The National Hockey League (NHL) and SLG Entertainment, LLC led by Stan Lee (Chairman, POW! Entertainment, LLC) today announced their unprecedented partnership to form Guardian Media Entertainment, LLC (GME). This partnership creates the platform from which to launch Stan Lee's vision for his latest superhero franchise, The Guardian Project."
What we do know is the group formed Guardian Media Entertainment.
"Created and developed by Lee and Tony Chargin, Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs at Guardian Media Entertainment, and Jake Shapiro, each Guardian derives from its corresponding hockey team -- complete with special powers representative of each team and city. These 30 Guardians will be unveiled together in a special presentation during the 2011 NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C."
"To be in business with Stan Lee and to be able to bring his latest superheroes to our fans is incredibly exciting to all of us at the NHL," said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President, Marketing, for the National Hockey League. "We are in constant pursuit of new ways to engage our fans and to introduce new fans to hockey, and the business of Guardian Media Entertainment does exactly that."
"Gill Champion, Lee's producing partner and President and COO of POW! Entertainment, said, "This is a wonderful opportunity to expand Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment brand into the sports arena."
Any Court case that involves ownership of copy-write and ideas can take many many years. This is a case about whether the guy who claims he was cut out, actually participated as he say he did and then if so how much that is worth. If indeed he did participate as indicated the amount could be one factor they could be in deep dispute about and stalling the whole process leaving it in limbo until it can be resolved. Nowhere have seen anything where they guy claims the suit actually involves any of the other Partners including Stan and POW!, NBC Universal or the NHL. But I do think this issue is purely an SLG Entertainment group and it's immediate partners issue and this guy had no case with them it would have thrown out by now or very easily settled, he may have a better case than some might think.
While I understand your point about the NHL or NBC settling it, I still think it is still far too complicated. And while I think we can all agree it could have great potential it still has no immediate value without being able to promote and then sell it's products in a real way.
I am not surprised something like this would take so long, just would like the case done with, so POW! can move on with it but mind you it does not seem like they are resting on their laurels with so many other Projects in the Queue. I think they will be just fine with our without this one and again I believe it will get settled eventually. We will all hear and see if and when it does.
