On Sun, 14 Jun 1998, Leo Smith <barter[_at_]ntplx.net> wrote:
>
> The famous 26 second film by Abraham Zapruder captured critical moments
> of the assassination of President Kennedy. The film was seized as
> evidence. Today's New York Times reports that the family and the
> Department of Justice are in negotiation regarding compensation to the
> family for the government confiscation of the film, which DOJ deems as
> belonging to the American people.
>
> Many TV programs have shown footage of the film. News programs today
> have become blurred with entertainment. News programs are a commercial
> enterprise, wherein the owner of the program sells advertising spots
> to advertisers wishing to present their wares to TV news watchers.
> To a large degree "News" is indistinguishable from "Entertainment"
> programming. To what degree does the family have a right to require
> a TV network to pay royalty when using the footage of the film in a
> retrospective story on Kennedy's assassination?
It is my understanding that Zapruder sold the copyright to his
film, which may preclude him from any further participation. Time
Incorporated, v. Bernard Geis Associates, 293 F. Supp. 130, 143
(S.D.N.Y. 1968)
Name: Charles McGarry
E-mail: Charles McGarry <cmcgarry[_at_]ix.netcom.com>
Date: 6/16/98
Time: 11:20:47 AM
Law Office of Charles McGarry
Entertainment Law and Civil Litigation
http://www.w3gm.com/mcgarry/
Received on Tue Jun 16 1998 - 16:12:55 GMT