Public Domain characters
by Peter Hill
(England)
Question: Is there anyway I can find out about Public Domain characters? I'd be interested to use some and am not sure where to look nor do I want to use anyone who is not public domain by accident. Many thanks.
Answer: You're generally safe using characters from stories whose authors have been dead for 50 years. (This is why so many Sherlock Holmes TV shows/films have been made in recent years.)
However, different countries have different rules, so you need to check on this when in doubt. In the US, the copyright now extends to 75 years after the author's death. Every government has an office that deals with copyright, and these offices usually have websites that explain the rules.
Some characters are also trademarked by publishing companies (for example, comic book characters) and may have different forms of protection as a result. Again, you would need to check with the government office that maintains the register in the appropriate country.
Characters in folklore dating back many centuries are fair game, which is why anyone can write a Robin Hood story. However, when writing your Robin Hood story, don't assign the character specific traits you borrowed from a recent adaptation of Robin Hood, because then you may be trespassing on a current copyright. Stick with the traditional traits and ones you invent yourself.
As always, I am not a lawyer and don't take this as legal advice. If your fortunate enough that there's money at stake, and your work falls into a grey area, you or your publisher may want to consult a lawyer.
- Home
- Character Questions
- Public Domain characters
Search this site...
|
||
| site search by freefind |
100% Human Generated Content!
All
articles on this website were written by a human being -- one possessed of flaws and limitations, but also with a personal perspective and a desire to help fellow
writers. No article on this site was written by or with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI).
Popular Articles
Mini-Course
Never be stuck for a great story idea again! This online mini-course will show you how to create simple ideas for original characters and build a plot around each character that contains the essential elements needed for a compelling story.
Recent Postings
-
Writing thoughts and diary entries.
Question: This is my first time trying to write, I constantly imagine fictional scenarios, so I decided to write a novel with them, but in my idea, we -
Synopsis Format
Question: Hello! Thank you for answering my question about how many characters to add in a synopsis! I should have included this question with my last -
How many characters to include in a synopsis
Question: Hello! I'm new to your site, and I love it! I didn't see a question and answer page for synopsis writing, so I wasn't sure where to post this
"I've read more than fifty books on writing, writing novels, etc., but your website has the most useful and practical guidance. Now that I understand how a novel is structured, I will rewrite mine, confident that it will be a more interesting novel." - Lloyd Edwards
"Thanks to your "Create a Plot Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was able to take a story that I simply just fooled around with and went willy nilly all over, into a clearly defined, intriguing battle where two characters fight to keep their relationship intact, and try to find a balance in control of themselves and their lives. Thanks to you, I'm not ashamed of the poor organization of my writing." - Nommanic Ragus
"I am so glad I found your site. It has helped me in so many ways, and has given me more confidence about myself and my work. Thank you for making this valuable resource, for me and my fellow writers. Perhaps you'll hear about me someday...I'll owe it to you." - Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.
"I never knew what to do with all the characters in my head, but since discovering Dramatica I am writing again in my spare time. Thank you for making this available. Yes, it is a bit complex, and it does take time, but I love it because it works." - Colin Shoeman
"I came across your website by chance. It is a plethora of
knowledge, written in a simplistic way to help aspiring writers. I
truly appreciate all of the information you have provided to help me
successfully (relative term) write my novel. Thank you very much!" - Leo T. Rollins
"I
can honestly say that this is the first website that is really helpful.
You manage to answer complex questions in relatively short articles and
with really intelligent answers. Thank you for taking the time to write
these articles and sharing them so generously." - Chrystelle Nash
"...had no idea that a simple click would give me such a wealth of valuable information. The site not only offered extremely clear and helpful instructions but was a very enjoyable read as well. The education from your wonderful site has made me a better writer and your words have inspired me to get back to work on my novel. I wish to give you a heartfelt thanks for How to Write a Book Now, sir." -- Mike Chiero