Books in films?

[Ed Williams]

I've got yet another question concerning legalities...

In my film, the main protagonist has a favourite book she pulls out and reads when she's feeling down. It's Peter Pan. Do I need the rights to refer to and to show this book in my film? It's not 100% essential to my story and I could change it but don't want to if I don't have to.

Thanks

Ed

 

[Ed Williams]

I'm going to attempt to answer my own question here.

On the inside of almost all books reads disclaimers like-

'No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of.....'

So I'm just going to rewrite the scene where the book made an appearance. It wasn't important enough to take the chance.

Ed

 

[Zensteve]

Pretty sure the Peter Pan book is in the public domain now, though just by a couple of years.

Showing the book itself might be a problem, if it was printed after 1937. The artwork on the cover is likely still held by someone, if it's a more recent edition.