Reideen1313 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 One thing I think I remember from a conversation held quite a while back. Not all characters that are public domain here in the US are public domain in the UK or other parts of the world. Public domain laws vary by country. Wikipedia info on public domain by country Copyright terms in the US as of Jan 1 2009 For example Popeye the Sailor is considered in the public domain in the UK. He is not here in the US until 2024. Peter Pan is on the list Northraider linked to, but IIRC, Peter is not considered PD due to a children's hospital in the UK owning the copyright. Ha - found it: While the copyright of the play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J. M. Barrie has expired in the United Kingdom, it was granted a special exception under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (Schedule 6)that requires royalties to be paid for performances within the UK, so long as Great Ormond Street Hospital (to whom Barrie gave the rights) continues to exist. I think this is a very good idea, and I'll continue to support with my $$, I'm just saying be careful with the character you choose to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcastick Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 So, is our final theme going to be the literary characters.....nothing really looked definite??? If this isn't final, I'd like to suggest the Fairy Tale characters for a children's charity. If this IS final, count me in but I'm not sure who I want to make yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattallica Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 how would someone go about checking whether certain characters are PD or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entertheninja! Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) I like that idea. I really loved Fuji's suggestion to customize those people and AI fits pretty well here. On the other hand, I guess customizing more popular characters might sell better on eBay, which means we'd have more money to give away in the end. Maybe we could do fantastic versions of great people. Dude the Chcuk Norris thread is in the Minimates' Arms not in the customs section...jeez...lol and im up for doing literature characters...even if the kids recieving them dont know who it is it'll spark their interest... Edited March 26, 2009 by entertheninja! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjwspider Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 If the contest is looking at literature, would this also include characters from mythology and/or the Bible? This could open up the contest to a wealth of interesting characters and stories. Additionally, this would help with some of the concerns regarding Public Domain issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthRaider Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) So far I'm all right with the charities Fujis suggested. As for the theme, public-domain literature (which I'm *guessing* can also include fairy tale, Biblical and mythological characters) sounds great enough, with the whole "is my character in the public domain" thing being the only real problematic issue here. It would probably suck if our customizers would have to do a load of research just so they can do one character. Perhaps we can try compiling a list of public-domain websites like the ones above? Maybe we could do fantastic versions of great people. This might work. IIRC certain political figures' likenesses become PD once they enter office, right? At least that's as as far as I know of American PD statutes. Edited March 26, 2009 by NorthRaider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Awesome. I lit an lamp in the munitions storage and didn't touch off a powder keg, AND didn't get yelled at, but rather supported a little. I think this is the most non-explosive controversy I've had all year. XD Thanks for hearing out my idea at least yall (even those of you who don't agree), and I understand that it's really like passing out paint and asking for self imposed bullseyes to be painted on. I didn't expect it to be 100% supported, but I felt the need to suggest it. Like I said, thanks for at least considering it. Literary characters. So I could do Peter Pan? The book, not the Disney version? Or something similar... Hmm... I have ideas, but I must think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthRaider Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Reideen mentioned that Peter Pan might not be public domain in the Uk so... I don't know. Not sure if this is kosher, but I think Jenny Everywhere is public domain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcastick Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Well, if we are doing literary characters....... why not make it like the "Monsters for Blood" event. We took licensed (or mostly licensed) characters and made them our own. Maybe take a character, do our own spin on it or update it, change it's time period or whatever....give it a name that resembles the orignal? I'm not sure, just trying to throw out some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 So, since I'm not seeing an answer to this, are we just talking any books or only fiction? And if it's fiction, can't fairy tales be included? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reideen1313 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Well, if we are doing literary characters....... why not make it like the "Monsters for Blood" event. We took licensed (or mostly licensed) characters and made them our own. Maybe take a character, do our own spin on it or update it, change it's time period or whatever....give it a name that resembles the orignal? I'm not sure, just trying to throw out some ideas. I think that would work, but again, do some research before starting your customs to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinimateEspo25 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 well, i don't have any customizing skills, but i would like to help out, so with that, if everyone would like me to, i'd like to make a logo for the contest. if yes, let me have all the pertinent info in a pm so i can come up with something. also i'll need a deadline for it, so i can make room in my schedule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke314pi Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) how would someone go about checking whether certain characters are PD or not? Search for the title or author on Project Gutenberg. Well, if we are doing literary characters....... why not make it like the "Monsters for Blood" event. We took licensed (or mostly licensed) characters and made them our own. Maybe take a character, do our own spin on it or update it, change it's time period or whatever....give it a name that resembles the orignal? For the Monsters for Blood event, all of those characters were public domain as well. That is why no one could do a Jason Voorhees or Freddy Krueger. But I agree that customizers should feel free to put their own spin on the character if they choose to. Edited March 26, 2009 by luke314pi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimadman Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Fujis will correct me if I'm wrong but 90% of Charitymates are sold to Forum members so WTF should we care whether 'our' charity is 100% PC for ebay? If this is the case why don't we skip eBay and have a silent auction on the board. We form some sort of committee to put a minimum price on them and then everyone can PM their offer, best one wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undeadpool Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 i have a question about the customs do the customs have to be the book versios or could you make them like star captin ahab or dorothy the assasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcastick Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I think what we should do first and foremost, is decide the theme, charity, timeframe and deadline before anyone decides on what custom they wish to do. Timeframe should include a decent amount of time to research their character and then plenty of time to finish. I would hate to have someone be psyched about making a custom and then find out it doesn't fit the finalized theme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Harris Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Since I'm well trained in collecting suggestions lately, I tried to cellect the charity projects that are still in the run - as far as I see it: UNICEF Books For Kids War Child Amnesty International Doctors Without Borders Education Across Borders The World Library Partnership (No, I won't make a poll and this won't be a "TM" List ) I'm fine with all of those, but if I had to choose I'd say "Education Across Borders", since this would fit pretty well with our current idea of creating fictional characters of any literary works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Since I'm well trained in collecting suggestions lately, I tried to cellect the charity projects that are still in the run - as far as I see it: UNICEF Books For Kids War Child Amnesty International Doctors Without Borders Education Across Borders The World Library Partnership (No, I won't make a poll and this won't be a "TM" List ) I'm fine with all of those, but if I had to choose I'd say "Education Across Borders", since this would fit pretty well with our current idea of creating fictional characters of any literary works. 'Education Across Borders' is ,like all charities,probably very worthy. I would like to point out however that according to my initial 'google' the only border it actually crosses is that of the Dominican Republic. Just letting you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 .................. can't fairy tales be included? Just curious. If fairy tales are included I'll take new dibs on 'Liberace ' ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rad Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 How does everyone else feel about Education Across Borders or The World Library Partnership? I think either would work with our current theme of characters from literature. I looked at both websites after you linked to the Fujis. EAB looks to have very close ties to the Roman Catholic Church and the WLP's website appears to be a holding page. None of the links at the top of their page went anywhere. I'm not saying this to be difficult, just making the observation. I love the theme of characters from literature and would just like to mention that I believe a lot of the characters from League of Extraordinary Gentleman are public domain. Bagsy the Invisible Man for my custom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fujis Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) Fujis will correct me if I'm wrong but 90% of Charitymates are sold to Forum members so WTF should we care whether 'our' charity is 100% PC for ebay? If this is the case why don't we skip eBay and have a silent auction on the board. We form some sort of committee to put a minimum price on them and then everyone can PM their offer, best one wins. This project is difficult enough to manage without a silent auction and PM's with bids. eBay Giving Works and MissionFish make it very easy to list an auction with a percentage of the auction end price being automatically sent to the desired charity. Also, the main goal of this project, as with past projects, is to donate to charity; not get custom Minimates to forum members - that's just a great by-product because we, of course, are the fan base. I'm not sure of the exact percentage that forum members purchased over the years, and while it's high, eBay gives us access to a wider range of collectors and those interested in helping out a good cause. i have a question about the customs do the customs have to be the book versios or could you make them like star captin ahab or dorothy the assasin A spin or new interpretation of the character is more than welcome! Timeframe should include a decent amount of time to research their character and then plenty of time to finish. Agreed, although it took some participants over four months to send me their customs on the last project (you know who you are ). After we finalize the details of this project, I'd like to set an 8-week deadline. How does everyone else feel about Education Across Borders or The World Library Partnership? I think either would work with our current theme of characters from literature. I looked at both websites after you linked to the Fujis. EAB looks to have very close ties to the Roman Catholic Church and the WLP's website appears to be a holding page. None of the links at the top of their page went anywhere. I'm not saying this to be difficult, just making the observation. I love the theme of characters from literature and would just like to mention that I believe a lot of the characters from League of Extraordinary Gentleman are public domain. Bagsy the Invisible Man for my custom. Hmm, okay, as I said before I'd like the charity to be as 'international & secular' as possible. These were two that came up when I searched for an international charity using the keyword 'books' on eBay Giving Works. We can keep looking for a 'literacy-based' charity or maybe go with War Child - I think the theme of characters for literature and the name of the project can still fit. Or maybe calling it 'Imagining a better world..." As for the theme, I think 'characters from literature' can include classic works or fairy tales, what needs to be stressed is the character must not be owned by someone. Edited March 26, 2009 by Fujis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 i have a question about the customs do the customs have to be the book versios or could you make them like star captin ahab or dorothy the assasin There is absolutely no need to customise their names as well Assassin as in ass ass in as not as ass as in assassin as its as a sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Found mine. I call Titania, Fairy Queen, wife of Oberon. XD Thank you Mr. Bard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undeadpool Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 all i meant about the dorothy and ahab thing was could we do a scifi equevilant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fujis Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) Charitymates III: The Mind's Eye (April 1-July 1, 2009) Custom Minimates of some of your favorite literary characters lifted right off the page and filtered through the imagination! Current Participants *Bob Harris- Mad Hatter or Pippi Langstrump *boyd - Aladdin *buttheadsmate - Zorro *clayface1 *dr baghead *Fujis - Sherlock Holmes *jcastick - Scrooge or Captain Hook *Lobsterman - Sinbad the Sailor *Luke314pi - Romeo & Juliet *mabait1020 *Mattallica- Captain Nemo *minimadman - Robin Hood *MINI_MYTE - Queequeg *robomate- The Tin Man *thepunisher=D - Odysseus *TM2 Dinobot - Titania, the Fairy Queen 16 customizers on board so far - I'd love this year's project to have the most customs up for auction yet! The first year had 15, the second had 18 (although only 16 were sold). I'll add people's character choices once we've solidified everything. And speaking of which, I'd like to settle on a charity so people can get down to searching for public domain characters from literature. I think the World Library Partnership fits well with our theme but it also satisfies the 'international' aspect (being that it benefits children in developing nations) - I'm also partial to smaller charities. UNICEF, Amnesty International, and War Child are huge charities and don't need a few more hundred dollars. Rad: Thanks for looking into the WLP. I see what you mean about their homepage but they have to be a registered non-profit organization to register with eBay Giving Works. I've sent an email to the WLP asking for more info on the organization itself and asking what they would do with our support (however limited). MinimateEspo25: We'd be more than happy to have you create a logo for the project (or anyone else that's interested for that matter)! You might want to check out what Luke and Shamrock created for the two previous projects for some ideas on content and formatting. Edited April 22, 2009 by Fujis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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