Would I have to ask permission from the creators to rewrite a show into book form using the same characters?

Question

I was just remembering the show "Dino Squad" which aired in 2007-2008.

It was about 5 teenagers who got covered in some toxic goo when they were swimming in the ocean. The goo gave them the ability to turn into dinosaurs.

They team up with their science teacher, who can also change into a dinosaur, to help stop a bad guy named Victor Vilasi, who can also change and wants to transform the earth back to the era of the dinosaurs.It was a VERY lame show. There was poor writing, bad animation, some story lines were unrealistic and didn't make sense.However, I found the characters and transformation scenes quite good and this could have been a fantastic show had the writers been more into it instead of just cranking out episodes.

The show was only on for a year and there wasn't any merchandise apart from dvds.

Would I be able to write a book, or a book series, based on the show using the same characters, location and the basic plots (only making everything way better.)

I was thinking a series, or just a book, that used all of the above, but written Animorph style.

There is a book series called "Dino Squad", but that's the only similarity to the show.

Would I need permission from CBS (the broadcast station) and/or the creator, to use the characters/plot?

Thanks.

Anonymous · Answer

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The Lord Humungus. · Answer

Of course

And you wouldn't just have to ask permission, you'd need to sign a contract licensing the property from the show owners, as tv show writers rarely have any sort of rights to tv shows.

Anonymous · Answer

It's fine, I'm sure the creators would be flattered. Also it sounds like a really neat story too! Please post excerpts of your work as you whittle away at what is surely going to be one of the great masterpieces of our generation. P.S. My favorite dinosaur is Allosaurus because I just kind of feel like he doesn't get as much love as Tyrannosaurus, you know? Anyway, enjoy writing your story.

Elaine M · Answer

You're talking about copyright characters and a studio trademarked TV show.  It's illegal to do that unless they approve it, and usually that means you have to pay for the right.

It's not going to be approved for someone who hasn't published through a publisher before.

MsBittner · Answer

Changing names and details will not protect you from violating copyright. If anyone--including the network, the writers, the actors, or the company that provided lunch--can recognize "Dino Squad" with some changes, you can be sued for copyright violation.

Most of the time the rights holders don't sue over fanfiction that's posted online. But if someone produces an ebook or print book, even if they give it away rather than sell it, the legal team at CBS will be on it.

You will lose.

Anonymous · Answer

If all you're doing is writing it for yourself and it won't see the light of day, then go ahead and write it. It's called fanfiction and a lot of people write their own stories using someone else's plot and characters.

However, if you're hoping to publish and earn money from it, you are sh*t outta luck. There's no chance you'll be able to get permission from CBS. It's also rather arrogant of you to assume you can write it better. You're using someone else's ideas and storylines rather than creating something on your own. If you're as good as you think you are then you wouldn't need someone else's work.

User · Answer

Yes, you would definitely need permission from the copyright owner
IF you were going to publicly publish such work
and ESPECIALLY if you were going to attempt to sell your work.

Basically: ANY copying that you do of an idea
is copyright infringement
and subject to copyright laws.

IF Kittery Point, ME is a real place
then you can use that as a setting.
- For example: no one has a copyright on Boston Massachusetts
If it is NOT a real place
then you are copying copyrighted material
and you ought not to do that without permission.

Would I have to ask permission from the creators to rewrite a show into book form using the same characters?

7 Answers