Yes, they wanted a ridiculous amount of money for the rights, something like 300 million. Nathan Fillian (Captain Mal) said he'd buy it if he could afford it in an interview once and people started sending him money. He actually had to ask fans to stop sending him money because he didn't intend for them to try and sponsor his purchase of the rights. It's sad, but yea they are too old now. But, the universe is vast and there could still be some brown coats or revolutionary types skirting the federation out in that big black verse.
Also, yes. Closure indeed. Not what we deserved as a fan base, but it's better than nothing.