The Fleischer estate has lost its attempt to regain the copyright to Betty Boop, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court's decision that the Fleischer estate did not meet the burden of proof on the rights transfers over the years. Additionally, the judge stated that if the court upheld the estate's trademark that essentially the character would never become public domain.

Max Fleischer created the iconic character in 1930. In 1940, he handed over rights to Paramount. Over the next 70 years the rights changed hands several times. In 1997, the estate bought back the rights.