Affable children’s character Winnie the Pooh has found himself at the centre of a legal battle as a film company takes on Disney for ownership rights to the bear and his friends.

The US Supreme Court has refused to decide whether the granddaughter of AA Milne, the British creator of Winnie the Pooh, can regain control of the copyright for stories featuring the children’s book character.

An American appeals court has denied an attempt by the granddaughter of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne to revoke the merchandising rights from a third party.

The holders of the North American rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters have hired celebrity lawyer Johnny Cochran to represent them in their 12-year legal fight with The Walt Disney Company.