tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778276361957351199.post273002460814499738..comments2024-02-29T14:12:01.955-05:00Comments on Flashback Universe Blog: Hanna Barbera TV SupeheroesJim Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05006833955333061262noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778276361957351199.post-59576986354802865342014-05-04T09:40:58.384-04:002014-05-04T09:40:58.384-04:00@Britt - this comic is pre-1978 would it fall into...@Britt - this comic is pre-1978 would it fall into Public Domain (like the Superman cartoons?) I doubt Dell or HB (Time Warner) have ever renewed the copyright.Jim Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05006833955333061262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4778276361957351199.post-2353046701360672512014-05-02T08:27:55.678-04:002014-05-02T08:27:55.678-04:00"Orphaned works" are based on the idea y..."Orphaned works" are based on the idea you can't find the original owner.<br />Hanna-Barbera is easy to find.<br />But...<br />1) If the property the comic is based on is now PD, the comic is PD.<br />(Like the <i>Dell</i> Steve Reeves <b>Hercules</b> comics)<br />2) If the copyright of the comic wasn't renewed (as was the requirement pre-1978), the comic is PD, even if the property it's based on isn't.<br />(Classic examples are the 1940s Fleisher <b>Superman</b> cartoons or the <b>Flash Gordon</b> serials.<br />The toons/serials are PD, <b>Superman</b> and <b>Flash Gordon</b> aren't.)<br />You <i>can</i> reprint/reissue them.<br />Look at all the different versions of those films that are available on VHS/DVD/BluRay...<br />3) If the initial copyright wasn't done properly, the comic is PD from Day One.<br />Lots of Charlton and Tower comics fit this category...<br />NOTE: Because, in most cases, the underlying property is still TMed (like <i>Superman</i>), you <i>probably</i> shouldn't do a derivative work/sequel to the PD comic story.<br />You <i>could</i> make a legal case for it, but unless you're a major corporation, you probably couldn't afford the legal bills...Britt Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07245579677452948620noreply@blogger.com