226 replies to this topic

[Mark_Hall]

Ah, and I was being inattentive. If you are considering posting entire issues, there is another fact to consider. Many authors went back over the years and get assignments back from WT, or, the individual authors or their heirs filed the renewals and took back their rights. So, you would need to track down EVERYONE's rights. And, in a number of countries, it is strictly life + 50 or 70, and lots of those authors have died more recently than that.

In case you were getting your hopes up. They call me MISTER Sunshine.

I'm sure the Evil Dark Lord will appear when needed; Sith or otherwise....

[Alpha Beta Mu]

If you are considering posting entire issues, there is another fact to consider. Many authors went back over the years and get assignments back from WT, or, the individual authors or their heirs filed the renewals and took back their rights. So, you would need to track down EVERYONE's rights.

I think I've got this covered. Whether it was the magazine, the author, or some other interested party, someone had to renew the copyright in the 28th year. I've been using the records and links at the Pennsylvania copyright records site to check this - both the periodicals (Weird Tales) and the contributions to periodicals (by title and author). So far, "many authors" appears to mean "mostly August Derleth" but that may be just my issues. I haven't decided quite how to represent this in the final scans - probably just a page with "Copyright Renewed."

Beyond this... I'm probably just going to do it regardless. I can always take them down later if someone objects (with proof). I don't like the idea of not doing something because it might be a problem and I've taken reasonable research with the online records.

[godzilladude]

If you are considering posting entire issues, there is another fact to consider. Many authors went back over the years and get assignments back from WT, or, the individual authors or their heirs filed the renewals and took back their rights. So, you would need to track down EVERYONE's rights.

I think I've got this covered. Whether it was the magazine, the author, or some other interested party, someone had to renew the copyright in the 28th year. I've been using the records and links at the Pennsylvania copyright records site to check this - both the periodicals (Weird Tales) and the contributions to periodicals (by title and author). So far, "many authors" appears to mean "mostly August Derleth" but that may be just my issues. I haven't decided quite how to represent this in the final scans - probably just a page with "Copyright Renewed."

Beyond this... I'm probably just going to do it regardless. I can always take them down later if someone objects (with proof). I don't like the idea of not doing something because it might be a problem and I've taken reasonable research with the online records.

Sounds like a plan.

[Dave the Rage]

Who has the last say on REH poetry? If I take a poem and turn it into an art piece, who do you contact to get permission, if it is not based on Conan that is?

[RJMooreII]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

[amster]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

The ones not published in Weird Tales or other magazines during REH's lifetime: The Frost Giants Daughter (Gods of the North, the same story with a different title, is in public domain however), The God in the Bowl, The Black Stranger, and The Vale of Lost Women. Those four stories were copyrighted and published decades later.

Edited by amster, 15 April 2012 - 01:20 PM.

[RJMooreII]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

The ones not published in Weird Tales or other magazines during REH's lifetime: The Frost Giants Daughter (Gods of the North, the same story with a different title, is in public domain however), The God in the Bowl, The Black Stranger, and The Vale of Lost Women. Those four stories were copyrighted and published decades later.

Thanks. I have Vale of Lost Women and The God in the Bowl in Conan the Cimmerian, where is The Black Stranger in print?

[johnnypt]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

The ones not published in Weird Tales or other magazines during REH's lifetime: The Frost Giants Daughter (Gods of the North, the same story with a different title, is in public domain however), The God in the Bowl, The Black Stranger, and The Vale of Lost Women. Those four stories were copyrighted and published decades later.

Thanks. I have Vale of Lost Women and The God in the Bowl in Conan the Cimmerian, where is The Black Stranger in print?

http://www.howardworks.com/storyb.htm

[amster]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

The ones not published in Weird Tales or other magazines during REH's lifetime: The Frost Giants Daughter (Gods of the North, the same story with a different title, is in public domain however), The God in the Bowl, The Black Stranger, and The Vale of Lost Women. Those four stories were copyrighted and published decades later.

Thanks. I have Vale of Lost Women and The God in the Bowl in Conan the Cimmerian, where is The Black Stranger in print?

The Conquering Sword of Conan.

[RJMooreII]

Many REH stories have passed into public domain, including many excellent Conan originals. What Conan stories and fragments of REH's are still held in copyright?

The ones not published in Weird Tales or other magazines during REH's lifetime: The Frost Giants Daughter (Gods of the North, the same story with a different title, is in public domain however), The God in the Bowl, The Black Stranger, and The Vale of Lost Women. Those four stories were copyrighted and published decades later.

Thanks. I have Vale of Lost Women and The God in the Bowl in Conan the Cimmerian, where is The Black Stranger in print?

The Conquering Sword of Conan.

Awesome, alright, well I'll just get that for my collection and I'll be set for my read-through and gift-basket.

[Rargentum]

Can Anyone Write and sell Conan Stories?

Or is the legal situation more complicated than that?

[docpod]

Conan the Cimmerian is trademarked by Paradox. Better off that you create your own character and write your own adventures.

Morgan

[Rargentum]

OK, I'll change his name to Koh'nun
:-)

[RJMooreII]

Just use the Celtic Kon'n; it's the same name. Literally, pronounced the same way.

Edited by RJMooreII, 29 May 2012 - 02:03 AM.

[Rargentum]

Conan the Cimmerian is trademarked by Paradox. Better off that you create your own character and write your own adventures.

Morgan

I think for me, I would see writing a Conan story or a story set in the world of Conan as a tribute or homage to one of my favorite writers, not as a creative short cut, but if I'm gonna get sued, I'll make up my own :-)

[Kane]

I still see writing stories set in Howard's Hyborian setting as a great way to expand on the original.
But those who do write the stories need to be well versed in what Howard originally wrote.
The last attempt showed what happens when current writers do not respect the original material.

Rargentum, righ now your best bet would be to write your own sword and sorcery stories with your own setting.
Speaking for myself, I would love to read some S&S in the style of REH. Just make sure that you fill it with action and that you love writing the characters and setting.

[Rargentum]

I still see writing stories set in Howard's Hyborian setting as a great way to expand on the original.
But those who do write the stories need to be well versed in what Howard originally wrote.
The last attempt showed what happens when current writers do not respect the original material.

Rargentum, righ now your best bet would be to write your own sword and sorcery stories with your own setting.
Speaking for myself, I would love to read some S&S in the style of REH. Just make sure that you fill it with action and that you love writing the characters and setting.

Now to spend years deciding what to call my hero!

[Kane]

If it helps, do a google search for popular names in different countries and cultures.
When I have to come up with a name for one of rpgs characters, and I want something
unusual or not obvious, that is what I do.

[TheDarkslayer]

Just write it your way. Who will stop you? You can always get some opinions when it's done here. People have done it before. If I ever decide to write a Conan story, by Crom I'll do it. I just might not be able to publish it.

[AndyHolcombe]

The best tribute, to Howard or any other creative person, you could do would be to create something new