Tag Archives: Filmmaking

Protecting Fictional Characters: Copyright and Trademark Strategies



Can a car, a superhero, or even a cartoon sidekick be protected by copyright? In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Matt Sugarman break down how fictional characters earn legal protection — and when they don’t.
 
From DC Comics v. Towle (the “Batmobile” case) to Carroll Shelby Licensing v. Halicki (the “Eleanor” case), Scott and Matt explore the three-part test for character copyrightability, how trademark rights can extend protection, and what creators and studios can do to safeguard their most valuable IP assets.

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Who Owns What – Understanding Copyright in Collaborative Projects



Who owns the rights when you co-create something? It’s not always as simple as you think. On this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley dig into:
✔️ Joint authorship
✔️ Work-for-hire rules
✔️ Why every collaboration needs paperwork
 
Avoid disputes before they derail your project. Watch this episode on YouTube.

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