Steinbeck heirs lose rights to literary works
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/08/15/cncopyright115.xml
-
-
- JanaPokana
- added this
The son and granddaughter of Nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck have lost the rights to some of the writer's most famous works, including The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice And Men, Tortilla Flat, and his first published novel Cup of Gold.
The appeals court ruled in favour of Penguin, the publishing division of Pearson, in a case that has been seen as having serious implications for heirs of other artists seeking to control the use of famous works.
In 2006, Thomas Steinbeck and Blake Smyle were awarded the rights to Steinbeck's works after a judge ruled that heirs were able to terminate contracts under copyright laws, to allow descendants "appropriate reward for the artistic gifts to our culture". The law was drawn up to protect authors who sign away rights early in their careers before they have enough success to demand better terms.
However, this week the higher court ruled that was not the case, because Elaine Steinbeck, the author's third wife, had already entered into a fresh copyright agreement, and that descendents only had one chance to renegotiate.
The appeals court ruled in favour of Penguin, the publishing division of Pearson, in a case that has been seen as having serious implications for heirs of other artists seeking to control the use of famous works.
In 2006, Thomas Steinbeck and Blake Smyle were awarded the rights to Steinbeck's works after a judge ruled that heirs were able to terminate contracts under copyright laws, to allow descendants "appropriate reward for the artistic gifts to our culture". The law was drawn up to protect authors who sign away rights early in their careers before they have enough success to demand better terms.
However, this week the higher court ruled that was not the case, because Elaine Steinbeck, the author's third wife, had already entered into a fresh copyright agreement, and that descendents only had one chance to renegotiate.
-
- groups:
- Community, News and Politics, Culture, Art and Style, 3 more
-
- tags:
- News, News and Politics, Culture, Random, 8 more
-
-
Pericles_Lewnes
-
Good Get Jana.
- 3 years ago
-
Pericles_Lewnes
-
-
agitator
-
The big guy gets protection from the Court? Unheard of.
- 3 years ago
-
agitator
more from Community:
from the community
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
- more
