The Batmobile is a protectable character under copyright law according to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. As a result, Bruce Wayne should become wealthier from all the royalties. The Court found that the Batmobile is “sufficiently delineated” to be recognizable by society wherever it appears as a result of its character traits and attributes, which are readily identifiable from constant use.
The Court also found that the Batmobile contained unique elements of expression. This allows Bruce Wayne (aka, its copyright holder/owner) to sue the Joker and any other third parties who reproduce the mobile, or make a derivative version of the mobile to the extent the material copied relates to the underlying copyrighted work.