On 13/02/07, Kim Plowright <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> (Yep - the BBC doesn't even own the Daleks...) The BBC owns *half* the daleks - specifically, the look and visual identity. The estate of Terry Nation owns their behaviour. So - if you want to use a picture of a dalek, you approach the BBC. If you want said dalek to move around shouting 'Exterminate!' you deal with the Nation estate.
Fascinating. How is it possible for 'the look' and 'the behaviour' to be restricted in this way? Coming from the world of software programs, where "clean room" reimplementation of visual identity and behaviour is neccessary to do anything - and why software idea patents are so harmful - I am totally in the dark about how this works. The "format rights" that were mentioned earlier seem to be a mirage, lots of handwaving about copyright and trademarks, but caselaw against the idea. I cannot see how copyright can be extended in this way. Please point me at URLs, or key search terms, or explain :-) -- Regards, Dave - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
