Question about rights

JSC1 · April 24th, 2003, 03:42 PM

If the re-imagining is made, does it have to go to air for Universal to retain the rights to Galactica? Can it just be made and Universal can sit on it indefinitely, and the rights would not revert back to Larson?

Micheleh · April 24th, 2003, 03:58 PM

Good question! I'll look into it.

I jsut thought of somehting else, too- what is likely happening is that Universal and SciFi have negotiated a deal based on a newly developed property using certain features of the show BSG, created by Glen Larson. That means that they have a certain set of key rights to which they can claim infringement against.

For instance, they couldn't say anythogn about a picture of "Starbuck" unless it's Katee Whatshername. They would, in all probability, have nothing to say about a photo of Dirk being used.

As far as the name 'Battlestar Galactica', I think the new production only has the right to use it, not ownership of it. I don't think even Universal has complete ownership of the name. (I would love to know exactly who really owns what in this thing. Without that information, all this is jsut speculation, no more.)

kingfish · April 24th, 2003, 05:08 PM

I believe Larson can make a big screen version. Don't quote me however.

repcisg · April 24th, 2003, 05:11 PM

According to the copyright and trademark sites (US Gov) the name Battlestar Galactica belongs to Universal. It would also appear the basic story belongs to them as well. But Glen Larson own's the "Artistic Rights" to the original production.

Look closely at the script of the new mini, it has been carefully crafted to avoid using anything originated by Larson. Thus the new mini will be the sole property of Universal. They can show it on any of their channels or lease it out.

What is not known is, must they actually show it. Or do they simply need to make a new show and have it in the can. I'm guessing here but I think they must show it at least once. There was a lawsuit filed by Larson against Universal in 1999 over this very subject. His rights were confirmed.

kingfish · April 24th, 2003, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by repcisg
According to the copyright and trademark sites (US Gov) the name Battlestar Galactica belongs to Universal. It would also appear the basic story belongs to them as well. But Glen Larson own's the "Artistic Rights" to the original production.

Look closely at the script of the new mini, it has been carefully crafted to avoid using anything originated by Larson. Thus the new mini will be the sole property of Universal. They can show it on any of their channels or lease it out.

What is not known is, must they actually show it. Or do they simply need to make a new show and have it in the can. I'm guessing here but I think they must show it at least once. There was a lawsuit filed by Larson against Universal in 1999 over this very subject. His rights were confirmed.

They may decide to do a Hawaii Five-O. The movie was shot but never aired.

Micheleh · April 24th, 2003, 05:16 PM

So they show it once for the sole purpose of retaining rights, and lose it forevermore, with a big loss statement. Back to square one- that's why it is so important for us to be unified and ready.

repcisg · April 25th, 2003, 12:09 AM

Universal (which includes SciFi) has a dual problem right now. On the one hand they need to sell of the as much of Universal as possible. That means convincing investors they have viable products to sell, such as the new Battlestar mini. On the other hand SciFi does not provide all the financing for Ron Moore, they use investors, if the show goes south SciFi and Universal will lose very little money, the investors will take the hit.

Now the problem is the Investors have learned to scan the internet, they look at BBoards to see what the fans are saying. If it looks like a particular project is going against what the fans at large want the Investors go elsewhere.

We need to target the money sources, that is where we've been hurting them and where we need to focus our energies.

Scooter2000 · April 25th, 2003, 12:54 AM

Please people can we please not advertise our tactics!

dah66 · April 25th, 2003, 06:57 AM

Hmmmmm. If Glen Larson does have theatrical and artistic rights, then a producer, like maybe Tom DeSanto, could work with Glen to create a Battlestar franchise that is separate from what Universal has planed. Since the term "galactica" has been used in other works, I doubt that Universal could stop Larson from making a film titled "Galactica."

From what I remember, Larson has the theatrical rights for a Pegasus feature. If Universal holds the rights to the actual ship and alien designs, then I would imagine that Larson could apply his artistic rights towards creating similar designs for his new production. I think this would be legal as long as they are reasonably different -- meaning, consumers would be able to differentiate the designs between the two productions.

Currently, Larson is moving forward with his theatrical version of Knight Rider. If that is a financial success, then I would be willing to bet that a Larson produced Battlestar film will soon follow. Unless, Universal is willing to pay Larson to not exercise his rights. They might be willing to do this so that they can have creative control over all related Battlestar properties.

In a perfect world, Glen Larson, Richard Hatch, and Tom DeSanto would all work together to develop a series of Bryan Singer directed Battlestar movies that would leave Universal and their miserable remake in the dust.

Dave

repcisg · April 25th, 2003, 09:51 AM

Un fortunatly the foundation story line belongs to Universal, Pegasus is based on that foundation. It's a real catch 22.

dah66 · April 25th, 2003, 12:45 PM

Ah, so Larson would need Universal's approval to use the foundation story? Or, he would need to create an entirely new foundation story for a Pegasus film?

kingfish · April 25th, 2003, 12:50 PM

He may be back sooner than later.

the3rdhuman · April 25th, 2003, 12:58 PM

Larson back in what type of capacity? Can you elaborate or not?

Thanks

kingfish · April 25th, 2003, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the3rdhuman
Larson back in what type of capacity? Can you elaborate or not?

Thanks

I have been reading many posts at https://subspacebbs.com Galactica 2003 forum. I don't know what to make of them however.

repcisg · April 25th, 2003, 01:27 PM

The foundation storyline is the Colonial universe of which Pegasus is part. Glen would need Universals aproval to do a Pegasus story. Which is why he hasn't produced it yet.