Beatty bought the rights to develop Dick Tracy TV and film projects from the Tribune in 1985, leading to a successful venture as producer, director and star of the 1990 film version.

However, Tribune, which syndicates the strip (it amazingly still runs today), claimed that due to inactivity in continuing to develop the character, Beatty’s rights lapsed. In the 2008 lawsuit, Beatty claims that he had been working on a new television project for the character at the time, according to Reuters.

When the Tribune filed for bankruptcy in December of last year, the lawsuit was halted by an automatic stay.

Judge Kevin Corey’s decision lifts the stay, allowing Beatty to continue the lawsuit. Judge Corey also allowed the lawsuit to take place in California, where Beatty filed suit, and not in Delaware, where the Tribune’s bankruptcy case was filed.