No, Batman is a copyrighted character owned by DC Comics. Anyone wishing to use Batman in their own work would need to obtain permission and a license from DC Comics.
DC Comics has trademark rights to the Batman name, which is likely considered a famous name under trademark dilution law. Use of the Batman name for commercial purposes (like including "Batman" in a building's name) that potentially creates confusion among the public whether the building's ownership, operations, etc.
The Batman logo is protected by both copyright and trademark. Using the Batman logo on your products without a license will subject you to civil and criminal liability - i.e. you can be sued and sent to prison. Most uses of someone else's artwork (such as a logo) without their permission is copyright infringement.
Long story short: It is illegal but acceptable. Marvel and DC own the rights to all their creations, and they are empowered to protect those rights if you infringe on them.
Only the original creator can use any of the characters and nobody else is allowed unless been given permission or you pay royalties. However, many are still selling fan art without permission and get away with it as they do not get too widespread with their work.
In 1989, Warner Brothers (which now owns DC, and thus the rights to Batman) released a feature film, Batman. It smashed box office records and set the grittier tone for all super hero movies that followed, including many produced by Disney.
While Warner Brothers owns every other DC character, including Bruce Wayne, Disney bought the rights to Fox and now owns the rights to live-action Batman in costume on the smaller screen. This means that while an animated series with the character is free game, live-action series are off the table.
Obviously, you're not allowed to use trademarked characters like Superman or Batman in your published works. If I wrote a novel about Superman fighting Lex Luthor, I could get sued.
This means that the copyright will expire 95 years after it was first secured, i.e. at the end of 2033. Thus, barring new legislation, Superman as he is depicted in Action Comics #1 will become public domain in 2034, along with other story elements such as Lois Lane and the city of Metropolis.
Over the next several years, several prominent DC characters are going to become public domain. Superman becomes public domain in 2034 followed by Batman in 2035 and then Wonder Womanin 2036.
For one thing, the character can only be used as it existed 95 years earlier. Let's take Superman, for example, who first appeared in DC's Action Comics #1 in 1938 and enters the public domain in 2033.
Indeed, as a vigilante, Batman cannot be legal: he is outside the law, beyond it, in conflict with it. But Batman may be free to achieve legitimate justice where law fails to do so.
To sum it all, DC is the flagship unit of DC Ent., a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, and a subsidiary of AT&T. Although Disney does not own DC per se, this didn't stop Disney Channel from creating their versions of Superman and Batman.
Today, Wayne Enterprises is led by Lucius Fox, appointed by playboy billionaire heir Bruce Wayne, whose estate owns a majority stake through various trusts and charities.
Wayne Enterprises is a large, growing multinational company. Wayne Enterprises, Inc. The American diversified multinational conglomerate is owned and chaired by Bruce Wayne, the son of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Although Batman and other DC Entertainment characters are owned by Warner Bros. and would not be included in the Disney/Fox deal, Fox does currently own the rights to the 1960s Batman TV Series starring Adam West and Burt Ward as well as the Gotham TV show.
Bruce Wayne, a character in the DC Comics universe is known for his immense wealth. His estimated fortune is around $9.2 billion. Making him one of the wealthiest individuals globally. This wealth was inherited from his parents, who were successful industrialists.
You will enter into a Copyright License Agreement with the copyright owner in which the owner gives you permission to use their work in exchange for money. The agreement will describe the royalties the copyright owner will receive (and you will pay), the length of the license, and other important details.
Painting celebrities' images is not copyright infringement, unless you are copying another painting or photograph of them. However, it can be an infringement of their likeness/personality rights should you sell or publicly display the paintings, at least in many places in the United States.
It is illegal to sell, publicize and publish a copy of an artwork unless you have prior permission from the copyright owner. It is also illegal to publish and sell an artwork that's substantially similar to another original work of art.
