Category talk:Public domain characters
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[edit] Fawcett and Quality Characters
Based on the discussions here and here, as well as this flowchart, I placed most Quality characters in public domain. The only exceptions were characters whose copyright was retained prior to DC's acquisition of Quality Comics (namely Blackhawks and Plastic Man). Using the same logic, I placed Fawcett characters that haven't appeared in any publication between 1960 and 1972 in this category. I hope that's okay with everyone. --Strannik 23:07, 4 October 2006 (UTC)
Good! I'm somewhat of an expert in this field, having studied it for years for some potential commercial stories. Icarus 23 09:37, 22 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Nedor Characters NOT NECESSARILY in Public Domain
I DO refer folks to my comments on the Nedor characters' page -- the situation is NOT as clear as most folks believe,and I wouldn't want someone starting something that they may NOT be legally able to do based on the information here. Icarus 23 09:37, 22 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Trademark is not copyright
This article is not about trademark, it is about copyright. You cannot trademark characters, only their titles, hence DC owning the copyright to Fawcett's Captain Marvel but not the trademark, so they have to use an alternate title, Shazam for his comic.
Some of the characters listed, Conan for example, certainly do have a current trademark associated with their name, and possibly their appearance. While it might be legal to publish stories about Conan it would not be legal to include his name in the title of the publication, and any illustrations could not be based on the interpretation of the character in Marvel comics beyond elements that were expressly described in the original R.E.Howard stories. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 82.46.103.66 (talk) 06:57, 15 February 2007 (UTC).
[edit] Comic Book Public Domain Confusion
There is some confusion out there as to what characters are in public domain under copyright and which are not, especially in the realm of comic books published during the 1930's and 1940's. Caution should be urged when adding or deleting this article. For example, Captain Marvel (Fawcett) had his first appearance in Whiz Comics #2, which was never copyright renewed and has fallen into the public domain. Also, Sub-Mariner first appeared in either Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 or Marvel Comics #1, both which went similarlly overlooked and were never copyright renewed. Both characters are likely in public domain, but are not listed as it is widely beleived they are copyright protected. No comics published by Quality Comics were copyright renewed by either Quality itself nor National Periodicals and all characters would be public domain for copyright purposes including Plastic Man and Blackhawk, who both enjoy Trademark protection as marketing symbols of DC Comics.
The above report on Nedor characters may or may not be right depending on the actual circumstances of the company when it ceased publishing. It is clear that Ned Pines did renew copyright on most of his characters' first appearances, despite widely reported statements to the contrary. Also, Pines sold one of his companies, Popular Library, to Fawcett Publishing, who in turn, sold it to CBS, and today, the Nedor characters would be owned by either Bertelsman AG or Warner, if the comic books they appeared in were published by Popular Library. If Ned Pines used different compaies to publish these books, they may be in public domain.
One addtional note, Green Llama, also beleived to be public domain, is not. He was first published by Street & Smith in the late 1920's, which today would have that character owned by Conde Nast. Clearly, more research needs to be completed on this topic and misinformation is widespread. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.29.159.115 (talk) 10:38, 3 June 2008 (UTC)
