Introduction

The frequent questions about whether Paramount or any other company holds the copyright over the Max Fleisher Superman animated shorts have been in circulation for years. This article aims to clarify the misconception by providing a detailed, historical account of the rights and ownership of these cartoons.

Historical Context and Ownership Transfers

The rights to the Max Fleisher Superman animated shorts are complex and involve multiple transitions and changes in ownership over decades. These short films, which were produced in the 1940s, initially belonged to the Fleischer Studios, under the guidance of Max Fleisher. These shorts were a significant part of early animation history, presenting the iconic superhero Superman in a unique and pioneering way.

Following the conclusion of the series, the cartoons were syndicated by Flamingo Films on television in the 1950s, alongside the live-action series "Adventures of Superman." However, the copyrights for the shorts were not renewed by the National Comics (now DC), leading to their entering the public domain. This means that these cartoons are now freely available to the public and can be downloaded from various sources, including YouTube.

The ancillary rights, including merchandising and film elements, remained with National Comics, now known as National Periodicals. In 1967, when Warner Bros. purchased Seven Arts-Warner Bros., the parent company of National Kinney, which owned National Periodicals, the rights were passed to Warner Bros.

Ownership and Legal Rights

Even without the cartoon's copyrights, Warner Bros. retained significant rights, such as the film negatives and merchandising rights. In 1978, following Superman's 40th anniversary, National Periodicals officially became DC Comics, and Warner Bros. released "Superman: The Movie" to coincide with this milestone. Consequently, the rights to the Superman franchise, including the animated shorts, are now held by Warner-Discovery.

It is important to note that while Paramount may have been involved in other projects such as Star Trek: Axanar, this had no impact on the Superman animated shorts. Paramount has no current copyright over these cartoons, and they are in the public domain, legally accessible to anyone.

Current Usage and Streaming

Currently, these Superman animated shorts are freely available on platforms like YouTube. Their availability on streaming services like Paramount does not mean that they are under any copyright control by Paramount. There are no legal restrictions on the inclusion of these shorts on any streaming service, nor any prohibitions against new productions or integrations into other media.

Conclusion

The confusion around the copyrights of Max Fleisher’s Superman animated shorts is understandable given the complex historical and legal transitions. However, it is crucial to recognize that these cartoons are now in the public domain and can be freely used and enjoyed by the public. The ownership of the underlying intellectual property does not affect their status in the public domain, ensuring that they remain available for educational, entertainment, and commemorative purposes.