Copyright law is kind of ridiculous. Currently in the US, properties can’t become public domain for 95 years. Ninety-five! That’s ridiculous. Who does this benefit? Certainly not the creators. Which is why Bill Willingham, creator of “Fables,” is giving a gigantic middle finger to DC Comics. The writer is not only making his comic series public domain, but encouraging fans, other studios, and creators to do what they want with the series. Movies, cartoons, comics, games, do it all! Willingham gives you his blessing! Why? Because DC Comics has burned him far too many times. And this is his response, which is a massive power move.
Willingham has been fighting with DC Comics over how they’ve been using “Fables” for years. In a press release, Willingham vented his grief about the way the property was being handled, against his wishes. Including trying to have a movie made, ret-conning lore, changing characters, and more. Something that’s an outrage to any creator. Luckily, Willingham still holds the rights to his series. Which has given him the power to take some away from DC. While DC can still publish the comics and make films, every other person who wants to use it can create from it with no repercussions.
Willingham’s letter also bemoans the creative landscape as it currently stands. Having signed his first creator-owned contract with DC roughly twenty years ago. Back when there as an integrity within the business because it was largely run by creators and not businessmen.
Copyright Law Is Like Battling A Hydra: Chop One Head, Two More Appear
“the company was run by honest men and women of integrity, who (for the most part) interpreted the details of that agreement fairly and above-board. When problems inevitably came up we worked it out, like reasonable men and women. Since then, over the span of twenty years or so, those people have left or been fired, to be replaced by a revolving door of strangers, of no measurable integrity, who now choose to interpret every facet of our contract in ways that only benefit DC Comics and its owner companies. At one time the Fables properties were in good hands, and now, by virtue of attrition and employee replacement, the Fables properties have fallen into bad hands.” the release reads.
There’s even more to this than simply seeing his creation misused by DC Comics. The comic publisher has tried to cast Willingham aside more than once while trying to coerce him into giving them sole rights to “Fables.” They have kept residuals from him regarding the Telltale Game, “The Wolf Among Us.” DC has basically tried every underhanded trick to make Willingham miserable enough to give up the property and leave. Practically daring him to try and sue for their behaviors. Something that Willingham doesn’t have the money or means for. However, given that Willingham’s contract still gives him ownership of the IP, he decided to fight sideways instead of head on.
Outwitting Corporate Devils: Bad-Ass
As the owner of the property, it is completely legal for Willingham to make “Fables” public domain. While DC comes from an angle of “if we can’t have it, no one can”, Willingham has gone around them to say “If I can’t have it, everyone can.” Willingham also wants to begin a battle to change copyright law and its intentionally vague rules. As far as he’s concerned, studios should control IPs for 20 years maximum. Instead of greedily coveting properties like the corporate dragons they are. After which point it can be sold to another studio, but only for a maximum of 10 years. After that, it’s public domain. Plain and simple.
Willingham also says that he’s owned “Fables” for twenty years. He’s 67 and it’s time to let his project sail into the hands of those who might treat it better than DC. He truly believes that there are more good people still in the world than bad. And that there will be a number of good creatives with their own stories to tell within the “Fables” universe.
You can read the full press release here.
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