Does anyone know what happened eventually with the commercial
war between the United States and Europe started a few years ago, with
the then 70 year old Popeye as the protagonist and the triggering
factor? I knew the war started, but never heard about the ending.
I am sure most of us here are too young to know much about Popeye except the mere knowledge that he was a very well know figure in comic books. Maybe you have heard the song 'Popeye the sailor man'? The sailor who loved and worshipped spinach, believing it to be magically powerful to give a person extraordinary strength. I only remember having seen a cartoon film about him years ago and having laughed my head off. Wouldn't mind seeing it again, but haven't a clue now what it's called.
The comic serial first appeared 84 years ago, on the 17th of January 1929, by Elzie Crisler. According to the legal right of authors in Europe, Popeye had become 'common knowledge', since it had then completed 70 yeas since the author's death in 1938, Whereas in the United States, the legislation of copy right is established as 95 years. This meant that up till 2024 exists a jarring period of asymmetrical situation between the two, the world's greatest potencies.
So while the intellectual right in Popeye's birth country continues, in Europe Popeye can be used freely in anything at all, reproduced in books, plays, films, videos, games, T-shirts, toys ... or any derivation based on the character, his beloved Olive, and his other pals and woes.
The discussion, more like dispute, had already started on the Internet in 2009 and a 3rd party, King Features Syndicate, one of the most powerful that controls all comic strips published in America, and proprietor of the registered Popeye, was taking a very active part in trying to protect it's rights, with teeth and nails if necessary. After all, it's a product that generates thousands of millions in royalties and all sorts of market worthy byproducts. Like the tinned spinach, Popeye's favourite food. (not to forget that, in the 30's, the slang for marihuana was 'spinach'). Wimpy's hamburger, even the military vehicle the 'Jeep', are based on some of the characters of the comic strip.
No doubt there had been lots of reports about it somehow, not by design, I managed to miss it all. Not that I am interested much about the outcome. Personally, all I want is to take another look at that funny animated film again.
Current Mood: 
curious
curious
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