Are there rules or precautions that apply when using a character (like the Spider) where part of the series is PD and part isn't? Is the character itself still under copyright? 188.87.214.11 18:13, May 11, 2015 (UTC)
There really is no such thing as a character being under copyright, only the work the character appeared in. If the character's first appearance is PD, then anything else the character appears in would be a derivative of the first appearance. If a 3rd appearance is still under copyright and, say, in the 3rd appearance the character met a woman named Jill and also began working at a place called the Daily Newpaper while wearing a new rainbow suit, then you can't use Jill, the Daily Newspaper, or the rainbow suit in your stories but, the Spider character would still be fine and you could have him meet a woman named Betty, get a new job at the Weekly Television Station and wear a new purple suit (or whatever else you wanted to have him do).Cebr1979 (talk) 03:18, May 12, 2015 (UTC)
Reading through this conversation will help explain it better. There is another conversation on here somewhere that explains it even better but, unfortunately, I can't remember where it is and I haven't been able to find it. If/when I stumble upon it, I'll link to it here for you as well.Cebr1979 (talk) 06:34, May 12, 2015 (UTC)
- Correction: That is actually is the right conversation, I just skipped over the first paragraph in my haste. Cheers!Cebr1979 (talk) 06:36, May 12, 2015 (UTC)
THIS discussion about the Sherlock Holmes character being public domain may also help. Roygbiv666 (talk) 22:24, May 14, 2015 (UTC)