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From: jrs@netcom.com (John Switzer)
Subject: Re: Copyrighted characters in adventures
Message-ID: <jrsCotyGH.F1r@netcom.com>
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
References: <1994Apr22.113740.4946@vax1.mankato.msus.edu> <1994Apr25.153013.22256@oxvaxd>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 19:36:17 GMT
Lines: 29

In article <1994Apr25.153013.22256@oxvaxd> nelson@vax.oxford.ac.uk (Mathematical Institute, (0865) 2-73525) writes:
>In article <1994Apr22.113740.4946@vax1.mankato.msus.edu>, bfa1225@vax1.mankato.msus.edu writes:
>> 
>> 
>>   Hi, I have just started dabbling with various adventure game builders,
>> and I have a legality question.  
>>    If I use copyrighted character(s), what permission, if any , do I
>> need to obtain?  These games would be freeware, btw.
>>  For instance, there is a game called Alice, created using AGT. 
>> The author put "Based on characters by Lewis Carroll", but I didn't
>> see any other notice.  If someone could clear this up, that would
>> be great.  Thanks.
>
>Unless the author has been dead 50 years, this is illegal even if
>no money changes hands, I believe.  Alice and Sherlock Holmes are
>examples of this (I think).  James Bond and Superman probably aren't.

In the U.S., a new work retains its copyright for the author's life plus 
75 years. And that copyright is only on the original work, not the 
copyrighted characters. If the author (or valid copyright holder) continues
to churn out works with that character, they can keep him under
protection forever. Thus, if James Gardner keeps on writing Bond
books and Broccoli keeps making Bond movies, James Bond won't go 
public domain until the 22nd century, if then.
-- 
John Switzer             | "For too long, those who play by the rules and
                         |  keep the faith have gotten the shaft, and those
CompuServe: 74076,1250   |  who cut corners and cut deals have been rewarded."
Internet: jrs@netcom.com |   -- Bill Clinton, 1992 Democratic Convention
