In order to make sure I've got this right . . . I just watched that episode.
Okay - here's your answer, Fotar:
Boynton lost his marbles and sold Astro. Apparently his mental state did NOT go unnoticed
Dr. Boynton was put on "medical leave" and Dr. Elefun was put in as the director of the Institute of Science.
Astro Boy was ACTUALLY the property of the IOS, which is why/how Elefun was trying to claim rights to him (Boynton had "sold" him to Cacciatore, but legally he
couldn't sell him because
he didn't own him - the IOS did)
However, Elefun didn't have to sue to take Astro away. A robot bill of rights was signed into law while Cacciatore was recuperating from the circus fire, making the ownership of Astro illegal, so Astro left with Dr. E.
As to why he wasn't returned to Boynton . . . well - according to the 1960's American version of the anime, Boynton wanted Astro out of his life - so there would be
no reason to return Astro to him. Plus he was technically the creation of the Institute of Science - and Elefun assumed guardianship over him as the director (as Boynton had been previously).
Hope this answers your question, and you are healing comfortably, Fotar
