@playarita wrote:
I wonder what influence would Great Ormond Street Hospital, who holds copyright of Peter Pan could have over the representation of Hook in any form even if based on the book or not directly related to the Disney film, the play or other deriative works. The UK granted did grant them perpetual rights (because Barrie had given the hospital the rights so that they could gain the revenue from the copyright). Perhaps they have some say in how the character is represented?
I’m not a lawyer, but I do know you’d also have to consider how any statutes of limitations, and/or any matter of precedent might calculate into the issue. For example, did they relinquish any rights to have any say when Disney, and other entities utilized the story of Peter Pan in their own forms, for so many years, and they chose not to participate in any way which would have made them a part of creative control. By not participating, they may have set a precedent, reflected when story of Peter Pan (and it’s characters) became public domain. After all of the movies, the books, the cartoons, the books, and stage plays, a would a general principle of common law have resulted after the participants of those events completed their work and profited from it, and having done so for over 100 years? If my reasoning is correct, then this might or might not be subject to any statutes of limitations which I’m sure would have long since expired.