The legal battle between former Walt Disney chief Jeffrey Katzenberg and the film studio he headed for 10 years puts Irish corporate affairs into the ha'penny place. Under his employment contract, Mr Katzenberg was to get a final, lump-sum bonus after he left Disney based on 2 per cent of the projected future profits of the films and TV shows launched during his tenure. These include The Lion King, Aladdin, Sister Act and Beauty and the Beast.

His lawyers have come up with three estimates for what he's owed: $342 million (€327 million), $438 million and, finally, a staggering $580 million. And not surprisingly, they prefer the latter figure.

For its part, Disney is arguing a more conservative $140 million, which would get it off the hook relatively easily. Sounds like a trade off between Katzenberg's Fantasyland and Disney's Never Never Land.