Over the next several years, several prominent DC characters are going to become public domain. Superman becomes public domain in 2034 followed by Batman in 2035 and then Wonder Womanin 2036. Many JSA and other golden age characters will become PD over the next few years as well, some earlier than Superman. There are some legal loopholes that limit full use of the characters (copyrights on costumes, trademarks on characters that appeared later and names) but ultimately the character will be public domain and thus usable by anyone for anything if they are careful.
This is still a few years away but I thought I would ask people’s opinions. Are you dreading, looking forward to, or indifferent towards this? Do you think DC will do anything about this?
(Also, I don’t know if this should be in Watchtower or general. Sorry if this is the wrong place.)
I think the trademarks on the characters will limit what anyone can do with them. I am both looking forward to and dreading it. On the one hand, I think a lot of people might do some wonderful things with the characters. On the other hand, there will be those who will do some absolutely horrible things with them.
Keep in mind that the copyrights for ONLY the original depictions of these characters are becoming public domain. Meaning anyone looking to use them have to use those original versions as the basis for their projects. And as mentioned, trademarks are also going to restrict what can and can’t be done to certain extents.
This does remind me that there is a movie called “The People’s Joker” that did get screenings at a few festivals. But due to legal issues, I don’t think it is set for any kind of public release
I’m actually quite hopeful about. Public domain means that a fresh wave of creativity can wash over these characters. We might see stories, adaptations, or perspectives that we’ve never seen before.
I’m actually surprised Disny hasn’t moved to extend the copyright protection act since the Mortimer Mouse version of Mickey becomes Public Domain in January.
It’s complicated but DC won’t own the Batman from Detective Comics 27 anymore. (Unless Disney “lobbies” to extend the copyright laws on Micky again…) DC will still own the name “Batman” along with all of the movies. The comics and characters in them will become PD over time.
I mean, we already see great, terrible, and everywhere around that interpretations of these characters with fanfiction. I’m guessing this will allow people to feel less intimidated to make work about (versions of) these characters, though, which I think is cool. I do agree that I’m looking forward to creativity that can potentially spawn from this
Given the horrible things that have happened to Winnie The Pooh being in public domain cough awful horror movie cough I dread what will happen with the Golden Age Versions of Bats, Supes & Wondey go public domain. So many horrible things can/probably will happen!
Honesty as awful as some “fans” are, I dont trust anything being in public domain anymore. We already have awful fanfilms and the like and they aren’t even public domain yet!
Fair but it’s always best to remember the good things in life. Think of all the Shakespeare based movies over the years. Some have indeed been very terrible but some are amazing. I expect what I always expect of humans, many terrible things will be done and many good things. Seek out and increase the good.
I have an idea, Instead of Bruce Wayne and his parents walking in the alley, from seeing Zorro… It’ll be Zorro witnessing the murder of his parents after watching a Batman theatre
