|
|
Post by Jaren Valnor on Nov 24, 2004 16:29:40 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]I'm in the midst of writing a trilogy of novels about a fictional land called Berestrond. It's set in the rough time period of the Lord of the Rings, and I'd like to say two things. 1) Does anyone know if hobbits are still copyrighted? I'd like to use them as minor characters. 2) If anyone would like to read the first chapter (*cough* PUBLISHERS PLEASE READ IT! *cough*) just drop a line! Opinions and criticism will be appreciated![/glow]
|
|
|
|
Post by Shatir Lavan on Nov 25, 2004 0:48:18 GMT -5
I would expect hobbits would be copyrighted, though the term is in very frequent slang usage these days. If it's a novel you seriously want published I would steer away from hobbits. Thats like putting ewoks into a non-SW world. Eventually they will probably make a transition so that they are commonly accepted as general fantasy like Elves and Dwarves, but they are currently still viewed as a sub-creation by Tolkien.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaren Valnor on Nov 27, 2004 13:42:14 GMT -5
Done. I changed every hobbit to a gnome. It added more comedy, because my gnomes talk a bit funny. It was fun writing them.  |
|
|
|
Post by JediMistressDragon on Nov 29, 2004 15:11:19 GMT -5
Actually, they are the only thing Tolkien made up in the books as Orcs and the rest are from various legends and myths and fairytales. But the hobbits are his own creation and I would supposed copyrighted. I would suggest sending an e-mail to the publishers of the books to double make sure, but i think they are copyrighted.
JMD
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaren Valnor on Dec 1, 2004 18:04:12 GMT -5
Didn't he make up the Uruk-Hai, too, JMD?
|
|
|
|
Post by Shatir Lavan on Dec 2, 2004 0:02:21 GMT -5
He made up hobbits. Uruk-hai are a version of orcs, although the particular type is a creation of Tolkien. He also made balrogs.
|
|
|
|
Post by Primrodo on Dec 2, 2004 13:23:51 GMT -5
Hobbits are a derivitive from myths and legends of "Half-Men" or "Halflings" Tolkien didn't create the concept of a small man warrior people...he DID create the hairyfooted, English country side pipe-smoking version though  Goblins aren't his creation but HIS goblins are, being dervived from Orcs that live underground. The current view on Elves was his doing as well. Tolkien did start so many of the fantasy steorotypes  |
|
|
|
Post by JediMistressDragon on Dec 2, 2004 13:56:02 GMT -5
Actually the name Hobbits is his creation. Really be careful what you write and make sure it genreal--like elves--Tolkien estate can't come after you for writing Elves in a fantasy as they part of the fey peoples and been in myths and legends for a long time. But hobbits you could be. Here's something on copyright laws: www.legalzoom.com/law_library/copyrights/introduction.htmlAnd balrog is his creation also. Best thing is to go on-line and see what has alwasy been in myths and stories, like at www.mythiccrossroads.com/myth.htm or www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/storfolk.html or www.pantheon.org/ . Or pick up a good book with all the the fey and spirits in it. I have one of those, plus places like the links I posted here and more for when I write one of my stories. JMD |
|
|
|
Post by Shatir Lavan on Dec 2, 2004 16:23:16 GMT -5
Yay UofC! That's where I go. I'm working on my Greek and Roman Studies essay on heroes which is due next week. Sadly there are no hobbits an Ancient Greece.
|
|
