Talk: Public Domain Super Heroes

Revision as of 20:51, 13 September 2011

What are trademarks and copyrights?

This is a legal issue, so by its very nature, it can be confusing. I did find these two articles to be useful in clarifying the differences, particularly the second, which deals with cartoon characters. Perhaps these can be useful in developing an FAQ.

23:38, September 11, 2009 (UTC)

Message from David M. Singer

David M. Singer is an acquaintance of mine and since he's not saavy on how to post messages on these kinds of forums, he asked me to post the following message for him:

“I have recently posted comments regarding the copyright status of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents as public domain characters. My comments were incorrect. I must make the following clarification: John Carbonaro and David Singer, Singer Publishing Company, Inc. and Deluxe Comics, have reached a final settlement in the lawsuit between the parties (entitled John Carbonaro, et. al. v. David Singer, et. al., 84 Civ. 8737 (S.D.N.Y.)). Singer acknowledges Carbonaro’s registered copyrights and trademark in the “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents®” and has consented to be permanently enjoined from utilizing any of the “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents” characters, stories or artwork or Carbonaro’s trademark. Under the settlement, Carbonaro will receive, among other things, an assignment of all rights to “Wally Woods T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents,” previously published by Singer.”

archie/mlj heroes

are the original versions of the archie/mlj heroes in the public domain?

Yes the original golden age versions of the heroes were not renewed and are in the public domain. Their sliver age appearances on the other hand are copyrighted. Also heroes like Fly and Jaguar who first appeared in the silver age are not public domain. Crimsoncrusader 03:11, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

more disputed characters

i was going to use certain characters for a webcomic so in addition to reading about them here i read toonopedia. toonopedia said certain characters belong to ac comics. when i contacted ac comics they confirmed this in a email

"Yes, that is true. CAPTAIN FLASH, THE AVENGER and dozens of other GA characters are now AC Comics properties. In fact this week we release a book featuring THE AVENGER, CRIMEBUSTER and YANKEE GIRL"

so someone should see exactly what characters they own.

This makes no sense. Once the characters are in public domain, the characters are in public domain. And, unless I missed something, none of the issues that Captain Flash, Avenger, Crimebuster and Yankee Girl ever appeared in were ever renewed (and, in case of Yankee Girl, there were never properly registered to begin with). That said, AC Comics does have its own versions of all of those characters, versions that are quite distinct from the originals - it definitely owns those. They never claimed exclusive rights to those characters, and I'm not sure why they would start now. --Strannik01 20:51, September 13, 2011 (UTC)

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 == more disputed characters ==
@@ Line 33: / Line 29: @@
 "Yes, that is true. CAPTAIN FLASH, THE AVENGER and dozens of other GA characters are now AC Comics properties. In fact this week we release a book featuring THE AVENGER, CRIMEBUSTER and YANKEE GIRL"
+so someone should see exactly what characters they own.
+* This makes no sense. Once the characters are in public domain, the characters are in public domain. And, unless I missed something, none of the issues that Captain Flash, Avenger, Crimebuster and Yankee Girl ever appeared in were ever renewed (and, in case of Yankee Girl, there were never properly registered to begin with). That said, AC Comics does have its own versions of all of those characters, versions that are quite distinct from the originals - it definitely owns those. They never claimed exclusive rights to those characters, and I'm not sure why they would start now. --[[User:Strannik01|Strannik01]] 20:51, September 13, 2011 (UTC)
-so someone should see exactly what characters they own