Pooh's antics have been translated into more than 40 languages

Clare Milne has been granted a fast-track appeal against an earlier court ruling in a long-running legal dispute over merchandising.

In May a US federal judge ruled that Ms Milne did not have grounds to get the rights from owner the Slesinger family.

Now the same judge has granted her the right to appeal against her decision.

According to court documents, Judge Florence-Marie Cooper, of the Central California Federal District, said there was a was a good chance another court might disagree with her ruling.

"There is substantial ground for a difference of opinion as to the court's holding," she said.

The rights were bought from AA Milne more than 70 years ago by Stephen Slesinger, whose family is suing Disney for unpaid merchandise royalties.

The company says it has been short-changed by millions of dollars for videos, DVDs and computer games.

Disney has attempted to reclaim the rights in partnership with Ms Milne.

Disney spokesman John Spelich described it as "a positive development", although a spokesman for the Slesinger family said the appeal was not likely to win.