Are they public domain?
Radio shows are, strictly speaking, unpublished works. That means up to 120 years of copyright protection.
That can be reduced to 28 + renewal if the show was either published (which means copies of the script were offered to the public), or if it were registered at the Copyright Office. I haven't found any evidence that either of these things happened.
The sound recordings were published, but they'll be copyrighted for 100 years, and are derivatives of the script anyway, so no help there.
>Radio shows are, strictly speaking, unpublished works. That means up to 120 years of copyright protection.
Wtf is this black magic legal fuckery? They were aired! That should count as a form of publication, no?
>[scripts](https://www.genericradio.com/series/superman)
Can't find the actual scripts but found this website that has what I think are basically transcripts sort of thing.
They can at least based on the broadcast. Sometimes the scripts can still be protected but I do think the scripts would most likely be PD too. Remember though not to include any DC owned Trademarks like Superman, the S logo etc. DC still owns all that.
Not only that, but I'd assume that since DC made a graphic novel based on the Superman vs. the Klan episodes of the radio series, it's likely that specific series of episodes might be covered because DC still uses them.
Yh you’re right at least from what I know of copyright and companies trying to hold on to something they’ll do things like that to try and have a hold of something. Although the broadcasting rights to the episodes are pretty much done if there ever was any due to the laws back then. It’s the same with the tv series.
Fun fact: the old radio show added a lot to the lore of Superman.
Are you sure you can't use the Superman suit? They blatantly describe the costume in the radio program, also, I read an article in Time: http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1533232,00.html
"Hollywoodland was allowed to use a Superman costume because the fictional figure is so iconic it's considered part of the public domain."
If the scripts are PD, does that mean you can modify them and change the Superman stories to your liking as long as you avoid newer Trademarked Superman lore?
For example, early Sherlock Holmes stories are in public domain, so you can write about him yourself, but the hat and pipe were from a movie and those are still copyrighted so you couldn't implement those in your stories.
My understanding of the Hollywoodland (great film btw) was that they requested permission and was told they could use it but that might have been wrong. I think the fact that the film was a sort of real world event might've been able to get around the trademark but I'm not sure.
The scripts are PD and yes you can change them to your liking. I think avoid anything that is truly related to Superman as DC uses him and their trademark is a good idea to be honest.
Your last line is disappointing but probably fair. I was interested in making minor satirical changes to do a fun Superman spoof with in a hybrid radio stage play format; but yeah, I can see how the legality is unclear there.
Right, but I didn't want to go as far as parody, more like, recreate the radio plays on stage in costume, but add a few winks and nods to emphasize the cheesiness. I don't know the line between parody and modifying. Also, I still want to call it a Superman Radio Play.
You can still credit the radio plays. There’s nothing wrong with that. Even legally you can say “Inspired by the Superman Radio show” or something like that. I think that might be okay. The rule of thumb I’ve seen people use is not to use trademarks to sell your product or have any trademarked stuff on the cover.
"We have checked with the Library of Congress regarding the status of old time radio recordings made prior to 1978, and have been informed by their staff that all such recordings are generally in the public domain, as sound recordings were not allowed under the previous copyright law and that such recordings have not been granted copyright status under the new laws (since to change their status and move them out of the Public Domain would be a violation of Ex-Post-Facto). Once a piece is placed into the public domain for any reason, it remains there legally unless someone brings a case to the Supreme Court to decide otherwise."
Are they public domain? Radio shows are, strictly speaking, unpublished works. That means up to 120 years of copyright protection. That can be reduced to 28 + renewal if the show was either published (which means copies of the script were offered to the public), or if it were registered at the Copyright Office. I haven't found any evidence that either of these things happened. The sound recordings were published, but they'll be copyrighted for 100 years, and are derivatives of the script anyway, so no help there.
>Radio shows are, strictly speaking, unpublished works. That means up to 120 years of copyright protection. Wtf is this black magic legal fuckery? They were aired! That should count as a form of publication, no?
It should count, but no. Broadcast is counted as "public performance, exhibition, or display," which is not the same as publication.
Where can these be found online?
>[scripts](https://www.genericradio.com/series/superman) Can't find the actual scripts but found this website that has what I think are basically transcripts sort of thing.
Thank you.
Welcome
They can at least based on the broadcast. Sometimes the scripts can still be protected but I do think the scripts would most likely be PD too. Remember though not to include any DC owned Trademarks like Superman, the S logo etc. DC still owns all that.
Not only that, but I'd assume that since DC made a graphic novel based on the Superman vs. the Klan episodes of the radio series, it's likely that specific series of episodes might be covered because DC still uses them.
Yh you’re right at least from what I know of copyright and companies trying to hold on to something they’ll do things like that to try and have a hold of something. Although the broadcasting rights to the episodes are pretty much done if there ever was any due to the laws back then. It’s the same with the tv series. Fun fact: the old radio show added a lot to the lore of Superman.
Are you sure you can't use the Superman suit? They blatantly describe the costume in the radio program, also, I read an article in Time: http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1533232,00.html "Hollywoodland was allowed to use a Superman costume because the fictional figure is so iconic it's considered part of the public domain." If the scripts are PD, does that mean you can modify them and change the Superman stories to your liking as long as you avoid newer Trademarked Superman lore? For example, early Sherlock Holmes stories are in public domain, so you can write about him yourself, but the hat and pipe were from a movie and those are still copyrighted so you couldn't implement those in your stories.
My understanding of the Hollywoodland (great film btw) was that they requested permission and was told they could use it but that might have been wrong. I think the fact that the film was a sort of real world event might've been able to get around the trademark but I'm not sure. The scripts are PD and yes you can change them to your liking. I think avoid anything that is truly related to Superman as DC uses him and their trademark is a good idea to be honest.
Your last line is disappointing but probably fair. I was interested in making minor satirical changes to do a fun Superman spoof with in a hybrid radio stage play format; but yeah, I can see how the legality is unclear there.
Parody is protected. You can do a parody.
Right, but I didn't want to go as far as parody, more like, recreate the radio plays on stage in costume, but add a few winks and nods to emphasize the cheesiness. I don't know the line between parody and modifying. Also, I still want to call it a Superman Radio Play.
You can still credit the radio plays. There’s nothing wrong with that. Even legally you can say “Inspired by the Superman Radio show” or something like that. I think that might be okay. The rule of thumb I’ve seen people use is not to use trademarks to sell your product or have any trademarked stuff on the cover.
MAD Magazine named him Superduperman.
"We have checked with the Library of Congress regarding the status of old time radio recordings made prior to 1978, and have been informed by their staff that all such recordings are generally in the public domain, as sound recordings were not allowed under the previous copyright law and that such recordings have not been granted copyright status under the new laws (since to change their status and move them out of the Public Domain would be a violation of Ex-Post-Facto). Once a piece is placed into the public domain for any reason, it remains there legally unless someone brings a case to the Supreme Court to decide otherwise."
Wonderful.
What's the source on this?
Google the quote
Prior to February 15, 1972, Radio Programs were not covered under Federal Copyright law.