> Being the "first" on any kind of legal gray area is usually just an enormous waste of time and money.
You quoted "first" correctly: this is not. The concept of placing something in the public domain, is well established. So are its implications.
If a 3rd party goes out to make a movie or something, what's DC Comics going to do? Assert IP rights they don't own, and never have? Prevent someone from using IP that's in the public domain? Sue for breaching a contract that 3rd party doesn't have with them? Good luck with that, and... Streisand.
For a creator this is kind of a nuclear option. But warranted in this case. Well played, mr. Willingham!
Jeff Ryan wrote: I'd love it if in the future this move was commonplace, and known as "The Willingham."
You quoted "first" correctly: this is not. The concept of placing something in the public domain, is well established. So are its implications.
If a 3rd party goes out to make a movie or something, what's DC Comics going to do? Assert IP rights they don't own, and never have? Prevent someone from using IP that's in the public domain? Sue for breaching a contract that 3rd party doesn't have with them? Good luck with that, and... Streisand.
For a creator this is kind of a nuclear option. But warranted in this case. Well played, mr. Willingham!
Jeff Ryan wrote: I'd love it if in the future this move was commonplace, and known as "The Willingham."
+1.