do copyright laws protect literary characters?

Answer 1

Copyright laws usually protect all parts of the work, even the charaters. Authors or their family members have even sued if someone uses a character. For example, the family of Victor Hugo, who wrote "Les Miserables," sued Francois Ceresa, a woman who wrote a novel continuing the story Hugo wrote: "Cosette."

Copyright laws also protect works being considered for movies. A filmmaker needs to get the copyright for a book before that book can be made into a movie. F. W. Murnau, for example, couldn't get the rights to "Dracula" when he wanted to make a movie, so he made "Nosferatu" instead. Bram Stoker's widow, however, considered it too close to the original and sued the production company. She won and the company declared bancruptcy.

Fan fiction, however, is pretty safe, because - more likely than not - you're not making any money off of your story. Check out fanfiction.net if you're interested.

Answer 2

Copyright laws protect any and all recognizable trademark figures of any book, movie, ad agency, or whatever. Thankfully there is a thing where if it is changed sufficiently creatively it will pass.

Answer 3

Yes, but only for a time, hence The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Answer 4

I think they do. otherwise competition TV channels would use popular characters from dramas with there programmes.

Answer 5

yeah

Answer 6

yes.