Image of Popeye Enters Public Domain In the EU 229
Several readers wrote in to mention that the copyright on the image of the character Popeye expired in the EU as the year began, 70 years since the death of its creator Elzie Segar. The US will have to wait until 2024, 95 years after Segar's death. Only Popeye's image is free of trademark in the EU; the name "Popeye" is still under copyright by King Features Syndicate. Popeye made his first appearance in a comic strip in 1929 and became hugely popular in the 1930s. The Times claims that Popeye now moves $2.8B of merchandise per year. Le Monde's coverage (in Google translation) mentions the real-life people in Segar's early experience who inspired some of the Popeye cast of characters. Popeye himself was based on the prize fighter Frank "Rocky" Fiegel.
Finally... (Score:5, Funny)
Lemme tell you, those are some saucy drawings! And you thought that spinach -only- grew his arm muscles?
Re:Errmmm... (Score:5, Funny)
Little limerick... (Score:5, Funny)
Poopie the sailor person (Score:5, Funny)
Since the name is still under copyright, I propose that we have a new comic "Poopie the sailor person". He could go around eating brussel sprouts. His girlfriend's name would be Canola Oil and his arch enemy Brittas would be a thug that went around killing copyright holders and waiting until the copyright expired.
Will Poopie save the day? Tune in same bat time, same bat channel. Same bat shit.
Not hungry, just ate a hamburger (Score:5, Funny)
I will gladly pay you Tuesday for your copyright today.
Re:With Jews, you lose. (Score:2, Funny)
The Japanese.
Re:Errmmm... (Score:3, Funny)
Whodathunkit?
No one capable of subtraction? ;)
Re:Little limerick... (Score:5, Funny)
We used to sing a Popeye song (Score:1, Funny)
I'm Popeye the sailor-man
I pee in an old tin can
I turn up the heater
And burn up my weiner
I'm Popeye the sailor-man!