unforum

[elvis cocho]

Because

[Darkurth2000]

Re: Because

[Almijisti]

Copyright issues surrounding Lovecraft's work is very complicated.

Lovecraft died in 1937; that means that all else being equal, all his works written before 1923 went into the public domain in 1951 (28 years from date of publication under the old rules). If the works had been renewed under the pre-1976 regime, then they would have entered the public domain in 1979 since one who owned the rights could renew copyright for an additional 28 years. Works he wrote after 1976 could also have had their copyright extended by an additional 28 years if they were renewed. All of the Cthulhu stuff was written after 1923, however.

That's where it gets (more) confusing because August Derleth claimed that he obtained the rights to Lovecraft's works and renewed the copyright after he had purchased the rights to Weird Tales (which at that time may have owned many of Lovecraft's stories). If Derleth had actually renewed these copyrights, then they would not expire until 70 years after Lovecraft's death, which would be 2008 (counting from the year following the death). Anything published before 1964 that was not renewed is in the public domain now. Most people believe that Derleth did not actually own Lovecraft's works because Lovecraft's writings for Weird Tales were not properly "works for hire", therefore they didn't own them--at best, they only owned six of his works. Derleth also claimed that he bought the rights to Lovecraft's estate, but this is hotly disputed to this day.

Thus, Lovecraft's writings are now in the public domain or, some of his works (perhaps no more than the six stories he wrote in Weird Tales) are copyrighted until 2008. Even if Derleth did own Lovecraft's estate, all the pre-1923 writings are still public domain and all the rest become public domain in 2008.

All this means is that it's definitely possible for someone to make a Cthulhu movie without fear--Derleth's estate has never been successful at defending their claim to Lovecraft's works. But there's no evidence at all that this is a Cthulhu movie--the whole issue is entirely academic at this point.

This is nowhere near as confusing and complicated as copyright issues for recorded music, if that makes you feel any better.

EDIT/ pre-1923 works went into public domain in 1951 or 1979 if they were renewed. My math ain't so good.

[elvis cocho]

Re: Because

[Rjet]

funny people still are arguing about the whole "original" thing.

also.. Unless we hear from J.J. Abrams "its not Cthulhu" or "It's an a Original Monster" or " I made up the monster with some friends " or "its Cthulhu" etc. etc. etc. WE CANT REALLY ASSUME ANYTHING.

I say just keep whatever theory you want believe what you want to believe and stop arguing about rubish.

I'm more interested in REAL information and Concrete evidence. which never seems to ever be found past slusho and the myspace pages.

[jajagoogoo]

wasent there an interview with some unnamed source that revealed a lot of stuff that turned out to be true and also stated it was an original monster... this might be the same interview where it was said that the cast refered to it as "the parasite"

i tried to look it up and couldnt find it but im pretty sure thats where all the "original" talk came from.. not JJ abrams

[sturnteer]

 

[FromTheDeep]

the one thing people are forgetting is that Stephen King has written several stories based on Cthulhu but the monsters have different names. a few have some things in common with the Slusho website. it could be Stephen Kings version and not Love Crafts. But either way Cthulhu as of yet has the most connections with the Slusho website, trailer, and myspace pages. I still think the dinosaur thing is pretty good, but if its true VERY disappointing.

[proace360]

Ok im sorry i thought he said it was original, so i was wrong and i apologize for callin this guy a retard when i was the one who was false... however i have two points:

First of all, obviously, a movie is already coming out called Cthulhu:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0478126/

And I BELIEVE he said its not a remake, and there have been numerous other movies, namely:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0478988/

and

http://imdb.com/title/tt0826776/

[Baydog]

Just a thought here.. from wikpedia..."Cthulhu....It is often preceded by the epithet Great, Dead, or Dread." In the trailer, after the SOL head comes to rest, you can see the words dead or dread on the back of the street sign, the base of that sign looks like it was poured after the rest of the concrete of the sidewalk, possibly meaning it was put there for the movie. Could this be a clue that it may be Cthulhu?

[FromTheDeep]

the only confrimation from JJ himself says that it is american, not godzilla and not king kong. so yes it still could be cuttalula or what ever.

[rose]

I keep wondering why no one likes my weaponized ink toting giant squid as a monster.

We have our own cult which consists of me. And all you need to join is to enjoy dessert.

maybe I need to give it a name consisting mostly of consonants or vowels.

[tastes like chicken]

[tinytim]

[rose]