Regarding the Klinger vs. Conan Doyle estate case, one has to consider that a US court decided in favor of a US citizen against a foreign company. There are respected voices that question the neutrality of US courts. So, a case with the roles reversed might go another route. Maybe, US courts would feel bound by the precedent set in that case, even if being forced to judge in favor of a foreigner. Maybe they wouldn’t.

Anyhow, a court case with a US company in a US court is costly and of questionable outcome, which is why the question of Conan copyrights may be undecided in court for a few years more. When anyone want to acquire a license from the supposed Conan rights holders, their questionable legal status would probably play a major role in the negotiations. If Disney, for example, was dead set on making a fourth Conan movie, they’d most likely be able to muscle their way through the process with little or no fees.