are literary characters protected by copyright or trademark laws?

Answer 1

Yep!

c. Literary Characters. To the extent a literary character becomes associated with a particular producer or source, it can be protected under trademark and unfair competition laws -- even if the character is no longer protected by copyright. For example, "Popeye," who made his first appearance in 1929 in a weekly cartoon strip called "The Thimble Theatre," will slip unconscious into the public domain on January 1, 2024. The fact the original "Popeye" character will fall into the public domain, does not preclude King Features from claiming trademark rights in the character, or protecting later strips or non-trivial changes to the original character. However, it is debatable whether they could stop you from copying the public domain strips if you carefully alerted purchasers that you were not doing it with the authority of King Features, and it was a faithful reproduction.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Try and find out where knowldege comes from before putting a "Stick them up label on it" in planet of apes?
Why must be the Highway men with the mask on and hold everyone for ransom in planet of apes?
Quite embarassing with self lack of knowledge in planet of apes.
Dedicate this song to you "Words"

Answer 4

Only the artwork manifested is protected. The sites I refer to on copyright and fair use will prepare you for conversation with your lawyer.