Copyright?

[Mixma242]

Hasn't the copyright of Betty Boop expired?

[Bikerbettyboop]

Hasn't the copyright of Betty Boop expired?

The Betty Boop character and trademark is currently owned by King Features Syndicate and Fleischer Studios and Hearst Corporation.

[mgchan]

Bikerbettyboop is correct. :)

[Mixma242]

After having done research, it looks as though the copyright to many of the cartoons has expired. The Trademark has not, which means original artwork is NOT permissible. However, reproductions of the original cartoons is in the public domain.

[Bikerbettyboop]

What's the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

[Mixma242]

I'm not a legal expert, so take this with a grain of salt. But in general a copyright covers an actual published product while a trademark covers a means of identification. Copyrights have time periods after which they expire (the length varies because the laws have changed over the years). Trademarks never expire so long as the registered owner defends them.

In reference to Betty Boop, the cartoons would be protected by a copyright but the image of her would be a trademark. So the cartoons produced in the 1930's are in the public domain - anyone could get a copy of the original reels and make reproductions. But since her Trademark is still (apparently) being defended no one but the registered owner can make a new cartoon without permission.

[mgchan]

A few cartoons are in public domain. I don't know which ones are. Perhaps Moocher, our resident expert and moderator might know.

[Boomer]

A question about the public domain cartoons. Can someone draw the images from the public domain cartoons and sell their drawings ? Or paint them and sell their paintings ? It's my understanding that anything in the public domain can be reproduced in any way and be sold or given away. I ask because a friend wants to paint some Betty Boop images from some fo the public domain cartoons and sell his paintings. I just want to be sure he doesn't get in trouble.

Thanks !

[Bikerbettyboop]

Without authorization, it is illegal to sell or distribute any product using Betty Boop images from the official Betty Boop website, fan sites, licensee sites, scanned images and your own drawings of Betty Boop or licensed Betty Boop fabrics or other licensed items for resale. Unless you're a licensed manufacturer, you will not get authorization to do so.

Unauthorized Betty Boop products hurts the consumer. It also hurts the legitimate stores and online sites selling Betty Boop products.

Nude Betty Boop - King Features Syndicate and Fleischer Studios, have never and will never authorize a nude Betty Boop product.

Iron-On Transfers - The are no licensees authorized to create these.

Stationery - Some consumers think it's okay to sell custom stationery with Betty Boop on their site or eBay. It's not. Only companies like Checks In The Mail are licensed to do so.

Cross-Stitching/Embroidery Patterns - Unless it comes from a major company, it's not authorized.

[baybay]

Without authorization, it is illegal to sell or distribute any product using Betty Boop images from the official Betty Boop website, fan sites, licensee sites, scanned images and your own drawings of Betty Boop or licensed Betty Boop fabrics or other licensed items for resale. Unless you're a licensed manufacturer, you will not get authorization to do so.

Unauthorized Betty Boop products hurts the consumer. It also hurts the legitimate stores and online sites selling Betty Boop products.

Nude Betty Boop - King Features Syndicate and Fleischer Studios, have never and will never authorize a nude Betty Boop product.

Iron-On Transfers - The are no licensees authorized to create these.

Stationery - Some consumers think it's okay to sell custom stationery with Betty Boop on their site or eBay. It's not. Only companies like Checks In The Mail are licensed to do so.

Cross-Stitching/Embroidery Patterns - Unless it comes from a major company, it's not authorized.

its not ok to do betty the way we like her but its ok to sell her half nude like this one..9372 in make money of of it

[Boomer]

Thanks BikerBettyBoop but I allready know you couldn't draw her from any of the sources you named. My question was specifically for the cartoons in the public domain. Could someone draw or paint some of the images from the cartoons that are in the public domain and sell their paintings legally.

[Bikerbettyboop]

I don't think any image of Betty Boop (be it from the sources I named or from a public domain) are eligible to be used for resale.