Creativity and Copyright
We're working on our next sermon series but we need help! We're very conscientious about copyright law. And we need to tap into the collective wisdom of the evosphere.
We want to brand our next series Superman meets Wonder Woman. It'd be a fun and creative way to come at gender, dating, and the battle of the sexes. But we aren't having any luck getting permission from DC Comics. Can't make contact.
Anybody have any insight on parody law, fair use, or open domain?
We really want to figure this issue out because we love redeeming cultural metaphors and using them to communicate the gospel. But we want to respect copyrights. We have our CCLI and MPLI licenses for music and movies. But nothing like that for copyrighted images that I know of.
Help :)
We want to brand our next series Superman meets Wonder Woman. It'd be a fun and creative way to come at gender, dating, and the battle of the sexes. But we aren't having any luck getting permission from DC Comics. Can't make contact.
Anybody have any insight on parody law, fair use, or open domain?
We really want to figure this issue out because we love redeeming cultural metaphors and using them to communicate the gospel. But we want to respect copyrights. We have our CCLI and MPLI licenses for music and movies. But nothing like that for copyrighted images that I know of.
Help :)
17 Comments:
Can you do "Supermen meet Wonder Women"?
I have no clue on the laws...
Mark,
Try www.copyright.gov !
Blessings,
Jimmy
Pastor Mark-
I attended NCC while going to undergrad at GW. Currently I am in my last year of law school back home in the Midwest. I am currently taking an Intellectual Property course and the professor is a brillant IP attorney. I will try to pick his brain and do a litte research on my own. I will let you know if I come up with anything . . .
Mark,
I'm sure you're looking for more modern images of Superman, but these cartoons are in the public domain:
Entertainment Magazine: Superman cartoon series from 40's"
Here's a still shot that's in the public domain:
Public Domain Still
Maybe Dave and David can snag a still from one of the 40's cartoons that you can use.
Scott
Hey Mark.
Whatever you do, DON'T rely on the collective wisdom of the blogosphere!
Find a competent intellectual property attorney and make an appointment. You could probably stand on the roof of Ebenezer's and spit... and you'd be likely to hit one in D.C.
The recent debate over Superbowl parties is evidence that lots of folks are willing to send you down the road to destruction, without solid information.
For what it's worth... the phrases Superman and Wonderwoman, as well as the associated logos, are registered trademarks. You'll need an expert to help you decipher whether what you want to do is qualified as fair use, or requires a license.
My first thought was that you should contact one of the pastors at Granger Community Church. They do a lot with pop culture references in their message series, so I'm guessing they've wrestled this question to the ground already. (They did a series called "Superheroes" a few years ago, so they may have actually dealt with this exact same question already.)
gccwired.com is the website... but I think you already know some of those guys...
Mark,
Easy answer is call Susan Fontaine-Godwin at Church Copyright Administration. They can get you all the licenses you need and handle the "getting to the right person" for you.
http://www.churchca.com/
- Blessings,
Anthony
P.S. - we just interviewed Susan as well as a church media attorney and a Constitutional copyright attorney for an upcoming CreativeSynergy Podcast. Should be up within 10-12 days.
i like this. it's like the phone-a-friend option on 'who wants to be a millionaire' =)
Mark, I was in contact with DC Comics recently over a logo design I was hired to create for a local elementary school's behavioral program. We wrote a letter to their licensing department to ask permission to use the logo and to make a long story short, they did not grant us use of the Superman logo for this "non-profit" internal logo. :(
You know what they say...
It's easier to say I'm sorry than to ask for permission.
Super meets Wonder
Just an idea from across the pond. What about creating your own characters, Superwoman and Wonderman. Wonderman could actually be based off of Wonder break, like is oufit is a slimming platic bag with a really cool twist tie around his neck. As for Superwoman, she could look similar to superman, similar colors. I think once people see it they would just blow past it and in their minds think Superman and Wonder Woman.
Of course you could get the rights and all that stuff which is very good, but I think if you create new characters that look like their cool cousins, it might work and then you kinda creating your own thing.
Mark,
Try getting in touch with Stephen Skelton, founder of The Entertainment Ministry. www.entmin.com or steve@entmin.com
He wrote a book and a bible study on what Superman and Jesus has in common. He could point you into the right direction. I think it would be a great sermon. Our church, Life Church West Monroe, just finished up the Chase The Lion series. All I can say is "Great!" Most of the church is reading the book now. Keep up the great work.
Bless you Bro,
Mark Murphy
Life Church West Monroe Creative Team
DC Comics isn't your biggest problem with this sermon titles/series. There is a Christian comedian/speaker named Kenn Kington that has a book, presentation and resource materials of the same name. I do know it is copyrighted with permission from DC Comics. You better clear it with him, as he does have a trademark registration and copyright on the deal. In essence, come up with something different!!!
Maybe you could say WonderMan meets SuperWoman. But that could lead to some metrosexual/alpha female conversation. Nevermind.
Do copyrights work in Bizarro world? Maybe you can try that route?
I think the first comment is the best - SuperMEN and WonderWOMEN with a similar looking logo or drawing...
or maybe I am off base and you were thinking about a likeness of Shaq or somthing like that
Check out the FAQ's here:
http://apologetix.com/faq/faq.php
Parody History & Legality:
What legalities are involved in doing parodies?
Whatever happened to Weird Al's suit with Coolio?
How can I copyright my music?
Is parody really an art form?
Are some hymns just rewritten bar songs?
Does "Weird Al" get permission to do parodies?
Can you recommend articles on parody law?
Are ApologetiX songs parodies or just rewrites?
...Bernie
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