Sherlock lives in public domain, US court rules

Re:Sherlock lives in public domain, US court rules by Torgo on Tuesday June 17, 2014 @02:44PM (#7906177)

Is it possible to make new works based on Tarzan? It appears that Burroughs was a pioneer in the strategy of "trademark the characters, assign ownership to an eternal corporation."

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Re:Sherlock lives in public domain, US court rules by bane on Tuesday June 17, 2014 @03:07PM (#7906328)

I think it's complicated. But the best answer I'm aware of is that you basically can do whatever you want. But the new work is now copyrighted.

In fact: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705952/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120855/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

And with Holmes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582/?ref_=nv_sr_1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/?ref_=nv_sr_2

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/?ref_=nv_sr_3

It's basically like they signed a $0, non-exclusive license to use the characters as they wish in a new work.

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