Case Studies in Intellectual Property: Dick Tracy

[Undrave]

I feel that most everything will see the light of day again, provided there are no major rights hurdles. Streaming Muppet Babies will likely never be profitable enough to deal with licensing all the expensive clips it included; Mystery Science Theater 3000 would be cheaper, but more headache (lots of tiny little studios and rights holders) and likely lower value to a streaming service; I never knew how Comedy Central could play old Saturday Night Live's as daytime filler (does SNL own the performances of all the songs?). Certainly anything where who owns the rights to _____ are unclear will have problems. Everything else, I expect it to get put up on streaming eventually. There just seems to be an unending need for more content from more and more services which thing they'll be the next Netflix. It's kind of amazing.

I don't think it's all of it but : ShoutFactoryTV : Mystery Science Theater 3000

 

[Ryujin]

I feel that most everything will see the light of day again, provided there are no major rights hurdles. Streaming Muppet Babies will likely never be profitable enough to deal with licensing all the expensive clips it included; Mystery Science Theater 3000 would be cheaper, but more headache (lots of tiny little studios and rights holders) and likely lower value to a streaming service; I never knew how Comedy Central could play old Saturday Night Live's as daytime filler (does SNL own the performances of all the songs?). Certainly anything where who owns the rights to _____ are unclear will have problems. Everything else, I expect it to get put up on streaming eventually. There just seems to be an unending need for more content from more and more services which thing they'll be the next Netflix. It's kind of amazing.

I always wondered why the nun slapped his wrist and said they had filthy mouths after Jake said she was 'up a creek.'

Music rights can seriously torpedo distribution. From what I remember early DVD releases of the TV series "Due South" didn't include any of the iconic music used in the show, because they didn't have the rights to it.

 

[Willie the Duck]

I don't think it's all of it but : ShoutFactoryTV : Mystery Science Theater 3000

Oh, they've definitely made various attempts. At one time I think I could get ~90% of them all with two services (but not the original season one from KTMA, which I'd love to watch just to see what has been hit with the nostalgia-glasses). Still, there was a reason why they used to say to keep the tapes circulating.

 

[Undrave]

Music rights can seriously torpedo distribution. From what I remember early DVD releases of the TV series "Due South" didn't include any of the iconic music used in the show, because they didn't have the rights to it.

Can't find Kidd Video anywhere anymore...

 

[Undrave]

Oh, they've definitely made various attempts. At one time I think I could get ~90% of them all with two services (but not the original season one from KTMA, which I'd love to watch just to see what has been hit with the nostalgia-glasses). Still, there was a reason why they used to say to keep the tapes circulating.

I bet a bunch of those old movie rights are just lost in the mist of time. They should just release them and wait to see who comes out of the woodwork to sue them abandonment of trademark is a thing after all

 

[Cadence]

Same.

This came around to bite me a couple times.

Visiting my in-laws with my wife and my young son we saw a Blues Brothers DVD on their counter. My wife wondered if it would be inappropriate for our son and I said "I don't think so, they say crap a few times when the nun hits them with a ruler for rude language, but that's about as bad as it gets." A half-hour in I realized I had only ever seen the broadcast version. Later similar experiences for Trading Places, Animal House, and Caddyshack.

I would love to be able to find the old TV cuts of some... like Caddyshack... to share with the 13yo.

 

[Mannahnin]

Music rights can seriously torpedo distribution. From what I remember early DVD releases of the TV series "Due South" didn't include any of the iconic music used in the show, because they didn't have the rights to it.

The saga to get Beavis & Butthead episodes back (relatively) intact is another long tale.

 

[Undrave]

The saga to get Beavis & Butthead episodes back (relatively) intact is another long tale.

In Canada I can only find season 1 of the Drew Carey Show available, every other 211 episodes seems unavailable. Apparently it's all due to music rights... season 2 might be available in the US but I'm not sure.

 

[Baron Opal II]

I just don't see an audience that would consume Dick Tracy content to the point that it would be profitable.

Not these days, no. Most of the villains were named after some sort of distinctive physical feature; Mumbles, Flat Top, The Brow, Little Face, &c. Probably why they all got greased by Big Boy in the first five minutes of the film. One of the distinctive pieces of super-tech that Tracy had is commonplace now.

My dad and I watched it when it came out. He was big into all the heroes, vigilantes, and adventurers of that time period. He loved it.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

Not these days, no. Most of the villains were named after some sort of distinctive physical feature; Mumbles, Flat Top, The Brow, Little Face, &c. Probably why they all got greased by Big Boy in the first five minutes of the film. One of the distinctive pieces of super-tech that Tracy had is commonplace now.

My dad and I watched it when it came out. He was big into all the heroes, vigilantes, and adventurers of that time period. He loved it.

I watch the movie when it came out. To be honest, all I remember is he wore a big yellow coat. In any case, does he still get royalties? Would he lose the royalties if he didn't keep putting on these in-character interviews? I just can't see the point of holding on to IP that isn't paying off.