It also says in the article that neither parent made major moves to achieve that recognition, which suggests they didn't think it was worth pursuing. We really can't tell what's going on from the article; it could be that the son only wants the recognition and is only asking for money in hopes of using that request as a bargaining chip, or it could be that the son is looking for a quick payday and is using the issue of recognition as a PR tool.TheRealCJ said:
Doctor Who Faces Legal Threat From Son of Tardis Creator
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
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I'm pretty sure that when the BBC copyrighted it in the 80's, it was making some noticeable bank. And it didn't just now start raking in worldwide revenue; that's been going on for at least 5 years. The change in situation seems to me to be more related to the change in control of the Coburn family affairs, rather than anything to do with the TARDIS.The Lunatic said:
He did, which is how it went to his wife, and then his son.008Zulu said:
Definitely not as much as it is now.theNater said:
Also, the BBC doesn't own the copyright.
This guy owns the copyright, his father allowed the BBC to use it, apparently.
However, that doesn't change he owns the copyright. He's within his rights to change things, it's his property now.
It varies by the nation but the fundamental problem is that, in general, a copyright only holds so long as it is defended. Basically, if someone else copyrights something and you fail to contest it, you lose it. This is the fundamental reason why you see companies zealously protect their copyrights even when it seems shortsighted - see, for example, the Zenimax/Mojang kerfuffle over "Scrolls".dantoddd said:
Doctor Who wasn't nearly as big as it was when Mr. Coburn gained what he thinks is his copyright. And I'm aware it's been big now for the better part of a decade, but I find it rather enlightening that he chooses this time to try to sue the BBC. On the cusp of the 50th anniversary, AND after his father was so painfully snubbed. He's not a young man, after all. He was 6 when his father wrote the first Doctor Who script, which means he's well into his fifties himself. I doubt he's hurting for money.theNater said:
Except they do, they filed in the 80's as the article states. Besides, his relative was paid for his work.The Lunatic said:
Registered is not the same as owning.008Zulu said:
Also, doesn't state if its the trademark or copyright in the article.
Even back then the BBC had lawyers, they wouldn't have made a grievous oversight such as this.The Lunatic said:
And the best part is not even half of that money will be used on powerful BBC lawyers that are all buzzed up from the high profile sexual abuse allegations from well over 4 decades, to just crush this claim like pitiful one-winged fly that somehow managed to crawl in through the window of opportunity to whiff a sniff of that money pie dream.
Anyhow, i'd like to sue the BBC for taking my money to pay for all the shit i don't ever actually watch (or listen to), just because i need to own a tv to play my consoles on...AND paying for it a year in advance! Twatting twatfaces!
Anyhow, i'd like to sue the BBC for taking my money to pay for all the shit i don't ever actually watch (or listen to), just because i need to own a tv to play my consoles on...AND paying for it a year in advance! Twatting twatfaces!
if his father was 1/12th the owner of the original stand, then he owns 1/12th the business. that's a fairly clear cut matter. there is nothing controversial about it. if i start a business as with a friend as a partner and he slacks off while the company thrives, he still gets paid.theNater said:
A few things here people.
Firstly Copyright only reverts back to the decease's family 25 years after the original copy rights holders death. So its not 35 years of copy right infringement.
"informal permission" doesn't count. Copyrights are only transferable in writing.
"The BBC said it's looking into the matter but also noted that it registered its own copyright in the 1980s and had received no complaints prior to this one"
Yeah .... a Copyright doesn't need to be registers it merely has to be reduced to material form. Clearly Tony Coburn when he wrote the first script got the copy right and is fully provable.
If I was a lawyer I would say the Son has a good chance however he needs to note that they only infringed copyright for 2002-2013.
Also I should point out that in 2038 Doctor who... becomes public domain.
Firstly Copyright only reverts back to the decease's family 25 years after the original copy rights holders death. So its not 35 years of copy right infringement.
"informal permission" doesn't count. Copyrights are only transferable in writing.
"The BBC said it's looking into the matter but also noted that it registered its own copyright in the 1980s and had received no complaints prior to this one"
Yeah .... a Copyright doesn't need to be registers it merely has to be reduced to material form. Clearly Tony Coburn when he wrote the first script got the copy right and is fully provable.
If I was a lawyer I would say the Son has a good chance however he needs to note that they only infringed copyright for 2002-2013.
Also I should point out that in 2038 Doctor who... becomes public domain.
I'm just saying, if you're trying to make a quick buck off of work that is only yours through inheritance, you would be better off lying through your teeth.dantoddd said:
I don't give a shit about how honest or dishonest he is, because in the end, the chances of him actually succeeding in this are slim to none. I'm just saying I think he's a prick and pointing out that he would have a (marginally) better chance of success if he at least pretended to sympathize with the people he's currently insulting.
Oh dude, no. Just... Just no. I'm not even a fan and I can tell that was completely unnecessary. You're either giving a backhanded compliment or showing how disconnected you really are from the show.Andy Chalk said:
Just stop dude, you're not going to win any support other than being a patent/trademark/copyright troll like the EDGE guy. It'd be ONE thing if you were asking for your dad to be credited in the episode or some shit but... This is NOT going to end well for you if you're in it for the money.
