Who copyrighted zombies?

Who Copyrighted Zombies?

Zombies, the undead creatures that have captivated audiences in literature, film, and television for decades, have a fascinating history of copyright battles and disputes. While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single individual or entity that "copyrighted" zombies, we’ll explore the key players and milestones that have shaped the world of zombie copyright.

Direct Answer: Who copyrighted zombies?

To answer the question directly, no one entity has successfully copyrighted the concept of zombies. Zombies are considered a part of the public domain, meaning that they are not subject to copyright law. This is because the concept of zombies has evolved over time through oral traditions, folklore, and cultural influences, making it difficult to identify a single creator or owner of the intellectual property.

Early Beginnings: Folklore and Literature

The concept of zombies originated in African folklore, where it was believed that zombies were reanimated corpses created by magic or witchcraft. The idea was later popularized in literature, with early examples including John Herndon’s "My Turn" (1926) and William Hope Hodgson’s "The Ghost Pirates" (1909).

Film and Television: A New Frontier

The first film to feature zombies, "White Zombie" (1932), was directed by Victor Halperin and starred Bela Lugosi. The film’s success spawned a series of zombie movies throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including "Revolt of the Zombies" (1936) and "I Walked with a Zombie" (1943).

George Romero and the Modern Zombie

George A. Romero, a renowned film director, is often credited with reviving the zombie genre in the 1960s. His classic film "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) introduced the concept of reanimated corpses as we know it today, where the dead are resurrected as mindless, flesh-eating creatures. This marked a significant departure from earlier zombie folklore and literary interpretations.

Comic Books and the Marvel Zombies

The Marvel Comics universe introduced a new spin on the zombie concept with the "Marvel Zombies" series in 2005. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Arthur Suydam, the comic book series explored a world where zombies are reanimated as a result of a virus, rather than a magical or supernatural force.

Copyright and Zombies: The Legal Framework

So, what does the legal framework say about zombies and copyright? In general, copyright law protects original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, while ideas and concepts are not subject to copyright protection. Since the concept of zombies has evolved over time through various forms of creative expression, it is difficult to identify a single creator or owner of the intellectual property.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, while no one entity has successfully copyrighted the concept of zombies, the world of zombie fiction has been shaped by a range of creative individuals and works. From African folklore to comic books, the idea of zombies has evolved over time, and their popularity shows no signs of diminishing. As we continue to explore the world of zombies in film, literature, and television, it’s clear that the undead will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.

References

• "Who Owns the Rights to Zombies?" by Josh Rosenblatt, The Atlantic
• "The History of Zombies in Film" by Richard Scheibe, Horror Movie Times
• "Copyright and Zombies" by Brian Libgober, American University Intellectual Property Brief