Can one write a story using the character of Sherlock Holmes?

Question

Can one write and publish a story or literary work in the United States using the character of Sherlock Holmes without permission from the Doyle estate, or is he copyrighted by the Doyle estate or another party?

Answer 1

The characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Professor Challenger, Brigadier Gerard and the Hound of the Baskervilles among others are trademarked by the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate.

Use of any character or any book not in the public domain for any purpose whatsoever is prohibited without a license from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate.

To apply for a license contact:
In the UK and Europe:

Jonathan Clowes Ltd.
Licensing Agents
10 Iron Bridge House
Bridge Approach
London NW1 8BD
Tel: [phone]

In the US and the rest of the world:
Mrs. Andrea Plunket
Administrator
The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate
408 Debruce Road
Livingston Manor
New York 12758
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

For any legal queries regarding the copyrights and trademarks of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate please contact:

In the UK:
Dr. Caroline McCarthy
1 Farm Cottages
West Byfleet
Surrey KT14 6EY
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

In the US:
Mrs. Andrea Plunket
Administrator
The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate
408 Debruce Road
Livingston Manor
New York 12758
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

These will be forwarded to the Law Firms in Europe, New York or Washington who represent the ACD Literary Estate.

Answer 2

I believe all copyrights cease to apply 50 years after an author's death. So the Sherlock Holmes character are public domain. I'll check up on that. I'll get back and edit if it's wrong, but I think i's 50 years.
EDIT: Sorry make that 70 years. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in 1930, so his characters are still public domain.

Answer 3

i seriously think literary characters such as Sherlock Holmes are copyrighted by Doyle... using his character in your story would cause you to be accused of plagiarisim... or something like that..

Answer 4

I believe on the grounds that Sherlock Holmes is now an icon of society, he may now be used as character in a literary work. It seems to me he has already been so used.

Answer 5

No, the character belongs to whoever owns the copyright.