That reddit post doesn't have a good understanding of how PD works.LegendZilla wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 4:18 pmAllow me to post this one more time : https://www.reddit.com/r/GODZILLA/comme ... ill_enter/Destoroyah of Worlds wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 12:57 amThe rights to the novel version of Kong are already public domain. "King Kong" the movie becomes public domain in 2029. This includes the character King Kong. They can include a giant ape named Kong or King Kong in a any Toho movie from that point on. They can adapt the story to Kong and King Kong too. They just can't title the whatever films they make "King Kong." This is how public domain works.LegendZilla wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 12:28 am
Where did you hear that the character and not just the film will go PD?
Same thing will happen with Superman in a few years. People will have publishing rights to the character and his stories. They just can't title the films "Superman" or "Action Comics"
I'm pretty sure it explicitly states that only the original 1933 movie will go PD and not the character.
Toho can use the novel version of the character now and adapt the film version of the character King Kong starting in 2029. They just can't title the films "King Kong", label merchandise (such as toys) "King Kong," or use King Kong designs and story ideas from King Kong movies past 1933.
Toho can get around this by naming the movies and merchandise "Kong" but calling him "King Kong" in the scripts.
Universal is only entitled to the rights to 1940s-Present King Kong movies and merchandizing rights to the name "King Kong"