Efforts to bring the 1960s CBS sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes” to the big screen took a step forward as show creators Albert S. Ruddy and the late Bernard Fein were granted all rights after a three-year legal battle, Deadline.com reports.

“Ruddy will work with Fein’s estate to develop a feature film ensemble comedy using the show’s clever WWII German POW camp premise,” the story reports. “The duo was granted rights that include movies, publication, merchandising, radio and live rights, as well as TV sequel rights.”

The decision by arbitrator Joel M. Grossman came down March 1, the piece notes.

“The creators went up against Bing Crosby Productions, which produced the show, and whose rights are now owned by Mark Cuban,” Deadline reports.

The hit CBS show aired from 1965-1971, with 168 episodes produced.

Mike Fleming Jr. writes in the Deadline report: “The issue of ownership of rights has been a veritable tinderbox of litigation for the past 10 years with most writers unsure of whether they can claim such rights. I wouldn’t be surprised if this development sends more show creators to their union to see what is possible.”