Re: [dvd-discuss] Eldred Amicus

[Seth Johnson <seth.johnson(at)realmeasures.dyndns.org>]

Michael:

So you have a good, useful definition of the idea/expression
dichotomy?

Seth Johnson

Michael A Rolenz wrote:
> 
> Woooowwww There! The idea can not be copyrighted and the whole point is
> for you to take the ideas with you but not the exact expression of them.
> THe question is how much you do with the ideas? For example, Imitations do
> not qualify as derivative works because they are original works How many
> fictional detectives have a less smart friend, a doctor, that are always
> recording the cases? Until fairly recently others could not create
> derivative works with characters called Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and
> set in late Victorian London. I don't know if you've ever noticed by
> Ridley Scott's "Alien" created a whole industry of clone movies that are
> essentually identical to it. Are they derivative works of the original?
> No. Are they extrememly bad imitations (most of them)? YES. Are they
> protected by copyright? Yes.

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