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Posted in: Batman, Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Superman | Tagged: action comics, detective comics 27, public domain
DC Only Has A Decade Left Of Batman And Superman Ownership
Batman was first published in 1939. Superman in 1938. Mickey Mouse first appeared in in 1928, and is now in the public domain.
Article Summary
- DC's Batman and Superman are nearing public domain, following Mickey Mouse.
- In a decade, anyone can create works with early versions of these heroes.
- Warner Bros retains trademarks on iconic symbols and names of characters.
- Possible cross-overs like Batman with X-Men, as classic heroes become free.
Batman was first published in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Superman in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Mickey Mouse first appeared in Steamboat Willie in 1928, and that version is now in the public domain. What does that mean? It means that DC has a decade left of Superman and eleven years of Batman before they fall into the public domain – or at least those versions. It will take longer for certain familiar aspects to join them in the public domain, such as The Joker, the Fortress Of Solitude, Kryptonite or Robin. But not too long.
So basically, at that point, anyone will be able to make and publish comics, TV shows, films, or the like featuring these characters, or at least the elements that have fallen into the public domain. Warners will still have the trademarks to the names Superman and Batman, including certain visual elements, such as the Bat logo, Superman's S shield and the breaking of chains motif. But that would only apply to the marketing of the product. And there are always ways and means.
I am told this is also why the Discovery/Warner Bros. sale was hurried along and may even have been discounted. There is only a decade left for the unchallenged use of some of Warner Bros.'s most valued possessions.
Popeye is up next year for King Features. Not long for Condé Naste's ownership of Doc Savage and The Shadow, either. It's not just going to be horror parodies. We are going to have Batman in the X-Men, comics and movies, and Superman in the Avengers, and there will be nothing that Warner Bros will be able to do about it. But that's okay; they'll be able to have Captain America leading the Justice League.
Just ten years time and we are going to get a brand new Amalgam Age. But with everyone and everything all at once. Maybe Marvel and DC should do some crossovers while they can still make proper money off them?
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