Beyond the Tolkien Estate - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mhoram · 03-13-2002, 04:00 PM

I don't know if there are any answers to be had concerning this, but if there are i'm very curious.

When will the copyright and control over Tolkien's works expire?

When it does, will anyone be able to publish M-E related things, like fan fictions?

Joy · 03-13-2002, 04:19 PM

I have been wondering the same thing Mho. I want to do a stage production of Beren and Lùthien. I am trying to find the information out. If I find anything, I'll let you know.

Starbreeze · 03-14-2002, 03:36 PM

That would be good coz then my ME Minstrel Band can really take off! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Glenethor · 03-14-2002, 08:08 PM

Mhoram,

You could do a search under Brit copyright laws.

Gayalondiel · 03-15-2002, 11:19 AM

UK Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988:
Copyright Durations:

Quote:

For literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works; 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies, or the work is made available to the public, (by authorised performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.)

So a while yet i'm afraid guys.

***Mithadan*** · 03-15-2002, 02:19 PM

Is it whichever is earlier (death or public exhibition)? If so, the Hobbit may enter public domain within the next 5 years and LoTR around 2025. There may be more issues like the effect of revisions, what if the copyright is held by a corporation or Estate, etc.

goldwine · 03-15-2002, 08:50 PM

There could be a frigtening avalanche of really bad interpretations etc.etc. and a worse marketing blitz(I think the current stuff has been pretty tasteful on the whole!)

drigel · 12-29-2004, 09:08 AM

hmmm I wonder if the law would view CT as a contributing author to the work..

radagastly · 12-29-2004, 09:22 AM

If I were in the Tolkien family, I would certainly view Christopher as one of the authors of at least the Silmarillion material and the HoME etc. It's defendable in court, and it would extend the period of monetary value of the material. There are also legal trusts, etc. that could take charge of the estate (possibly) and extend the copyright even longer, even indefinitely. While it is based in a different country, there are still pieces of music by Mozart and Beethoven and other composers that maintain full copyrights a century or two later. It just depends on how attentive the family is, and how valuable the material remains. I would not expect free reign on Middle Earth material in most of our lifetimes. Sorry.

drigel · 12-29-2004, 09:28 AM

No offense to fanfic's, but I am glad to see it that way. Mabye there could be in the future (with the help of a creative minded estate member) a series of "approved" novels - 'a la the Star Wars Universe.

Bêthberry · 12-29-2004, 09:59 AM

Eru protect us! Those Star Wars paperbacks are pulp fiction, based upon a movie script that hardly qualifies as formal literature per se. Could anything do justice to the original of Middle-earth, which is a highly developed work of prose? Holders of literary estates can be notoriously bad in using their authority. I would rather see nothing more carry a Tolkien imprimature.

But then, I'm grumpy this morning.

03-13-2002, 04:00 PM	#1
Mhoram Dead and Loving It Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: The land of fast cars and loud guitars. Posts: 361	Beyond the Tolkien Estate I don't know if there are any answers to be had concerning this, but if there are i'm very curious. When will the copyright and control over Tolkien's works expire? When it does, will anyone be able to publish M-E related things, like fan fictions?

03-13-2002, 04:19 PM	#2
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,012	I have been wondering the same thing Mho. I want to do a stage production of Beren and Lùthien. I am trying to find the information out. If I find anything, I'll let you know. __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

03-14-2002, 03:36 PM	#3
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	That would be good coz then my ME Minstrel Band can really take off! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

03-14-2002, 08:08 PM	#4
Glenethor Wight Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow Posts: 176	Mhoram, You could do a search under Brit copyright laws. __________________ "Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people, living life in peace..." Dr. Winston O'Boogie

03-15-2002, 02:19 PM	#6
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,364	Is it whichever is earlier (death or public exhibition)? If so, the Hobbit may enter public domain within the next 5 years and LoTR around 2025. There may be more issues like the effect of revisions, what if the copyright is held by a corporation or Estate, etc. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

03-15-2002, 08:50 PM	#7
goldwine Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Australia Posts: 64	There could be a frigtening avalanche of really bad interpretations etc.etc. and a worse marketing blitz(I think the current stuff has been pretty tasteful on the whole!) __________________ 2A Balrog. A demon from the underpants (Gandalf)

12-29-2004, 09:08 AM	#8
drigel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: commonplace city Posts: 518	hmmm I wonder if the law would view CT as a contributing author to the work..

12-29-2004, 09:22 AM	#9
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	If I were in the Tolkien family, I would certainly view Christopher as one of the authors of at least the Silmarillion material and the HoME etc. It's defendable in court, and it would extend the period of monetary value of the material. There are also legal trusts, etc. that could take charge of the estate (possibly) and extend the copyright even longer, even indefinitely. While it is based in a different country, there are still pieces of music by Mozart and Beethoven and other composers that maintain full copyrights a century or two later. It just depends on how attentive the family is, and how valuable the material remains. I would not expect free reign on Middle Earth material in most of our lifetimes. Sorry. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

12-29-2004, 09:28 AM	#10
drigel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: commonplace city Posts: 518	No offense to fanfic's, but I am glad to see it that way. Mabye there could be in the future (with the help of a creative minded estate member) a series of "approved" novels - 'a la the Star Wars Universe.

12-29-2004, 09:59 AM	#11
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,994	Sometimes the road does not go ever on... Eru protect us! Those Star Wars paperbacks are pulp fiction, based upon a movie script that hardly qualifies as formal literature per se. Could anything do justice to the original of Middle-earth, which is a highly developed work of prose? Holders of literary estates can be notoriously bad in using their authority. I would rather see nothing more carry a Tolkien imprimature. But then, I'm grumpy this morning. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.