Disney can dish it out, but they can't take it

Clodfobble · 10-13-2004, 02:48 PM

Children's Hospital in England May Sue Disney

Apparently, the author of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, gave the rights to the story to a London children's hospital in 1929. It has since been a large source of income for the hospital. Now Disney has released a prequel to the story (by Dave Barry, of all people) and it has made millions, but the hospital is not getting any royalties.

Disney acknowledges that their own hard-won Copyright Extension Act could/would have extended the hospital's ownership to 2023 in America and 2007 in Europe, but claims that the hospital's rights to the story ended prior to 1998, when the extension took effect. The main point of contention seems to be based around the fact that J.M. Barrie gave them the rights in 1929 but didn't die until 1937.

In addition, the hospital is inviting authors to compete for the chance to write the "official" sequel, which would extend their copyright further--assuming the judge in this case rules they still have it now to begin with.

Elspode · 10-14-2004, 10:57 AM

The formula basically works this way. Anything that favors Disney and makes them money = good. Anything that doesn't = bad.

Just remember that simple formula, and you could qualify to be Secretary of Commerce in the next Bush administration.

10-13-2004, 02:48 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Disney can dish it out, but they can't take it Children's Hospital in England May Sue Disney Apparently, the author of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, gave the rights to the story to a London children's hospital in 1929. It has since been a large source of income for the hospital. Now Disney has released a prequel to the story (by Dave Barry, of all people) and it has made millions, but the hospital is not getting any royalties. Disney acknowledges that their own hard-won Copyright Extension Act could/would have extended the hospital's ownership to 2023 in America and 2007 in Europe, but claims that the hospital's rights to the story ended prior to 1998, when the extension took effect. The main point of contention seems to be based around the fact that J.M. Barrie gave them the rights in 1929 but didn't die until 1937. In addition, the hospital is inviting authors to compete for the chance to write the "official" sequel, which would extend their copyright further--assuming the judge in this case rules they still have it now to begin with.

10-14-2004, 10:57 AM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	The formula basically works this way. Anything that favors Disney and makes them money = good. Anything that doesn't = bad. Just remember that simple formula, and you could qualify to be Secretary of Commerce in the next Bush administration. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)