I am trying to find out who owns the rights to a movie released in the 60's.
Did a google search and found the movie titled listed on a Production/distribution Company website. I sent them an email requesting information. I received a response saying they did not own the rights and did not know who does.
Let me state I do not want to do a re-make, I only want to use the main subject/thing/object (character). I found the movie on the web and the original screen writer (he has not responded). The original movie is 78 minutes. What I want to do is a 12-15 minute short to hone my directing/filming/editing skills on a low/no budjet.
I think the movie was re-released around 2001 on DVD, I am trying to find a copy and see who released it.
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has experience seeking permission for use of such rights would be helpful.
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And the name of the movie? Or are you being deliberately secretive about that?
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Not meaning to be overly paranoid, but yes deliberate.
It is basically one of a kind. After researching it was released
under two different names.
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Was the company you contacted involved with the production/distribution of the film back in the 60's? Or did they just do the recent DVD release? If there are two different companies involved, you may want to get in touch with the other one (if it still exists). It's possible that a larger company (i.e. Universal or Paramount) owns the film (in which case you'll never get permission).
It's also possible that the film lapsed into the public domain. There were some crazy things going on with copyright law in the 1960's. Before 1968, I believe, you had to include a notification of copyright in all release prints in the film and if that notice wasn't there, the print became public domain (this happened to Night of the Living Dead--that's why you can download it for free over the internet). So if you watch the movie and don't see a copyright notice, it's POSSIBLE (although definitely not a sure thing) that it is in the public domain and you can do whatever you want with it.
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Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com
The google search I did listed a distribution company with a link to their website. There are actually several companies under one umbrella who handle "b" movies in the horror/sci-fi genre.
Written in very, very fine print on the website the company states that in some cases they clain the rights to some movies which maybe public domain.
I did a general public domain search but was not able to find anything. The thought of paying $5 for shipping just kills me for a $7 b movie........
Thanks for the tips.....
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