Is the Zorro character public domain?

Is the Zorro character public domain?

The creator of Zorro, Johnston McCulley, died in 1958. So, along with the United States, Zorro is in the public domain in all countries adhering to the Berne Treaty minimum of life of the author plus 50 years after death.

When did Zorro become public domain?

A movie adaptation “The Mark of Zorro” starring Douglas Fairbanks followed in 1920, 3 and a second serialized story by McCulley, “The Further Adventures of Zorro,” was published in 1922. Since all were published in the United States prior to 1923, all are in the public domain.

Is Zorro trademarked?

In a blow to a company that has a deal with Sony Pictures, the European Union’s trademark office rules that the name of the masked avenger is non-distinctive.

Is The Mask of Zorro based on a true story?

The Zorro character was inspired most obviously by a real-life 19th-century outlaw called Joaquin Murrieta, whose gang was responsible for endless cattle-rustling, robberies, kidnappings and murders during the California Gold Rush of the early 1850s.

Who wrote the book Zorro?

Isabel Allende
Zorro/Authors

Is the story of Zorro in the public domain?

One must be careful though, because a work can be in the public domain in one country, but not others. 13 The creator of Zorro, Johnston McCulley, died in 1958. 14 So, along with the United States, Zorro is in the public domain in all countries adhering to the Berne Treaty minimum of life of the author plus 50 years after death.

When did the first Zorro movie come out?

With regard to Zorro, the first work to feature him was published in 1919 and a Zorro film starring Douglas Fairbanks was also released that same year. Since any work published in the United States prior to 1923 is in the public domain, 12 this means the story, and Zorro himself, have passed into the public domain.

How many years of protection does Zorro have?

But in those Berne Countries that follow life plus 70 years, Zorro has 13 more years of protection.

Why was Zorro given the name Zorro?

Put more succinctly, since the character Zorro had been the subject of numerous motion pictures (well over 30), television shows and comic books, the public regards the name “Zorro” as identifying the character, not the source of the material.