Copyright Issues for Biographical Shows

[HandsomeLittleLiar]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 2:50am

Hi all, I am in the process of developing a show about a now deceased celebrity circa 1950. I am just curious what the rules are regarding copyright etc? If it is all original material will using their name as a character in the show be a problem? I googled the name of the person's estate and nothing significant came up. Any help would be appreciated as I wouldn't want my partner and I to start work on something that later ran into problems. Thank you for any insight.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 3:54am

A person's LIFE has no copyright protection. However, if you are taking a unique bent on something that is the predominant focus of a specific book (for example) THAT info is proteted. If you have well known info -- that multiple articles/books etc have printed, again, no copyright issues.


I think bwayto's advice about consulting with a lawyer is wise --especially once ou get to performance and particularly if you consider PUBLISHING.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 6:17pm

And because copyright law has been changing over the past 20 years. (Don't get me wrong: I think you've gotten good advice here. I'm just agreeing that it wouldn't hurt to check with an entertainment lawyer.)

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 8:49pm

If the person has an active estate, that can be an obstacle as well. For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. has an estate, while Al Capone does not.

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 10:31pm

The upcoming "I'll Eat You Last" seems to be a less than kindly portrayal of a deceased sort-of public figure and as I understand it no permission was granted by her estate. You might use that as a guide.

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/21/13 at 10:31pm

The dupe-delete

Updated On: 4/21/13 at 10:31 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/22/13 at 10:33am

Though Gypsy Rose Lee signed-off full permission to Arthur Laurents and the entire creative team of GYPSY to do as they pleased with the musical of her autobiography, her sister June Havoc resisted from signing a release to use her name and any references to her in the musical. I believe the out-of-town tryouts began with a different name for Baby June and June finally gave in and signed the release shortly before the Broadway opening.