Who Owns the Rights to Dodie Smith's "The Hundred and One Dalmatians"?

The beloved children's classic, "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith, has captured the hearts of generations. But who owns the rights to this timeless tale? In this article, we will explore the copyright ownership of the novel, focusing on Dodie Smith's estate, the implications of the UK's copyright law, and how to find the current copyright holder.

UK Copyright Law: Entering the Public Domain

In the United Kingdom, works enter the public domain 70 years after the death of the creator. Given that Dodie Smith passed away on November 24th, 1990, "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" will not enter the public domain until the year 2060. This means that as of now, the copyright for the novel remains with its rightful owners.

International Implications

While the copyright for the book itself is still in the hands of the estate, it's important to note that copyright for the movie adaptations of the book might have different terms. For instance, in the US, for instance, movies based on existing works typically retain their original copyright, while remixes and derivative works might have different terms.

Copyright Ownership Post-Creator's Death

Copyright ownership can sometimes be complex, especially when the creator has passed away. If a creator does not include specific information about copyright ownership in their will, the copyright may transfer to their closest relative, up to the third generation, or to their estate.

Accessing the Rights Information

If you need to find out more about the current copyright owner of "The Hundred and One Dalmatians," there are a few steps you can take:

Library or Bookstore Information: The copyright owner's information should be in the front of the book if you're reading it from a library or bookstore. However, this information might not always be up-to-date. Contacting the Publisher: Dodie Smith's original publisher in England, Heinemann, can provide you with the name of the current rights controller. You can write to Heinemann or try contacting the literary estate directly. Writer’s Estate Information: Dodie Smith named Julian Barnes the novelist as her literary executor, but he had to pass on the task due to its administrative complexity. If you write to Dodie's estate, they might forward your inquiry to the current rights controller.

Contacting the Rights Controller

To write to the rights controller, you can follow these steps:

Identify the Publisher: Start by identifying the current publisher, which might be a different entity than the original publisher, especially if there have been mergers or acquisitions. Contact the Publisher Directly: Write a formal letter or email to the publisher's legal department, asking for the current rights controller of "The Hundred and One Dalmatians." Follow-Up: If you do not receive a response, follow up with another email or a phone call to ensure your inquiry is addressed.

It's essential to be courteous and professional in your correspondence, as the rights controller might be overwhelmed with inquiries. If possible, provide some context about why you need this information, such as research for a book or a legal requirement.

Conclusion

While "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith is still under copyright in the UK, the process of finding the current rights holder can be complex. Always check with publishers, estates, and legal departments to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information.