I've developed an iPhone app for myself which is basically a collection of all of the UK copies of Sonic the Comic, a publication which ran from 1993 to 2001 in an easy to use comic reader. It was published by Egmont LTD who no longer exist. I'd love to release it to the public as many fans of the comic can't get a hold of the issues without either downloading them illegally (if they can find them) or by scouring ebay for what's left. I could take the risk and Apple's review team might let it through. I don't plan to charge for it but I'd rather get permission than receive a fat law suit. Does anyone know who I'd contact and how? I'd rather do it via e-mail or mail if possible as I am travelling at the moment and phone isn't really an option.
Hmm, however the character names and just the character's themselves are still IP of Sega, even the publishers themselves had to declare that in the front cover of every issue. I can contact one of the artists relatively easily but I believe it might be in the hands of Sega. I suppose I could just go for it and see what happens. Worst comes to worst I would imagine I'll just receive a cease and desist letter.
Yeah that's what I'm thinking, the review guys don't like me much at the moment either, they've been rejecting stuff left right and center (all legit of course just bugs and other stuff.)
Someone could buy the rights after the company was closed as it usualy happened. So I would try contact the rights department in UK if you have something like that and ask them if they have a record who is the owner now. This will probably be more related to book/press rights department/ministry. In some countries you can search the database by ISBN number of each book/comics.
If I were you I'd contact SEGA with a business proposal. Sell them your effort for a small percentage over each sale
What about the android store? sure its smaller but you wont get any of apple's BS to enter. They'll copy it and be done with it: the only way to negotiate with a coporation is when you've the high ground.
says who? using words such as "only" isn't appropriate in this context. There have been hundreds of small timers who made it big thanks to collaborating with bigger entities.
Yeah but most of the time is due to them having something the big company wants, like a patent (dead kamer for example) or some new tech. That or say creating something that already has real business potential, with ongoing sales and profits.
This is a really good point - If you go to Sega and show this off, chances are you'll get a nice "We are not interested" letter, then six months later you'll see the exact same app for sale in the Iphone store. However, since you already have the product completed and ready to go, you *might* have a chance at striking a deal. Stress to the fact that this would take minimal investment from them in your presentation. Can you adapt your app to other comics? If so, then it might be marketable on it's own as a Comic-reader kind of thing. You could also approach other comic companies about selling the idea to them as well.
Exactly, its the same that happens with hollywood when you send a script: you'll get it back with a yellow ribbon that politely says "we dont give a fuck about your ideas so we didnt even open this POS script, so you cant sue us if we steal the whole thing". On the other hand if you write a book and has some level of success they'll come begging for the movie rights.
The publishing rights wouldn't expire. They would have been an asset that went to someone. Likely Sega, but it's also possible that they went to the artists and writers as well depending on how the contracts were written. And risk getting hit with a fat willfull infringement lawsuit. This is sound advice. -hl718
Before approaching Sega with anything, you should establish the legal situation for anyone attempting to use copyright material. Even when publishing houses or publications are defunct, someone somewhere will own the rights. Luckily for you there is a publishing association in the UK more than willing to discuss the inner workings of UK copyright / publishing laws and potentially assist you. http://www.publishers.org.uk/en/home/copyright/ Once you've established who you need to contact and started to negotiate using their material you may then want to contact Sega.
