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CBS, Others Sued For Copyright Infringement Over "Soft Kitty" In Big Bang Theory (arstechnica.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the to-soothe-the-savage-lawyer dept.

UnknowingFool writes: In the popular sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, Penny has sung "Soft Kitty" to the difficult Sheldon Cooper on numerous occasions as a lullaby and to comfort him. These scenes are such fan favorites that the song lyrics are sold on merchandise. The daughters of poet Edith Newlin are suing CBS, Warner Bros, and others claiming copyright infringement for her poem, "Warm Kitty".

The situation is not a simple copyright infringement case of Warner Brothers not obtaining any permission. The poem was created in the 1930s by Newlin, but she granted permission to Willis Music to be used as lyrics in their songbook Songs for the Nursery School. Warner Brothers obtained permission from Willis Music in 2007 for the song to be used in the show. Willis Music is also named as a defendant.

5 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. Oh give me a break by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For fuck's sake, it's 2016 and a fucking child poem from 1930 is still copyright protected?

    Has the world gone fully retarded?

    1. Re:Oh give me a break by portwojc · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I believe the copyright for that last 95 years. So 2025 is when the copyright expires. We'll find out before that if that will enter the public domain since a certain mouse is set to expire in 2023.
       

    2. Re:Oh give me a break by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Statute may define copyrights to such lengths, but make no mistake, copyrights in mid industrialized countries are now effectively infinite.

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  2. Fucking copyright vultures by sootman · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm all for copyright, but set it back to 14 years, and no extensions. As far as I can tell, the current system allows for just two things:
    1) People can take from the public domain but never contribute
    2) People can profit off their dead ancestors' work.
    Neither is particularly good for the public at large.

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  3. Re:A slashdot favorite! by BitZtream · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If a TV show like that offends you, you're the one with a problem.

    You're taking offense because of your own personal issues, not because the show is 'insulting' you in some way.

    Considering a couple of the actors have actual geek cred and all you have is a slashdot account, I'm really not sure why you're getting pissed off instead of being thankful.

    Its not about the 'best' of a culture any more than Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Honeymooners, The Simpsons, Family Guy or any other TV show.

    ITS A FUCKING FICTIONAL COMEDY OF COURSE IT PICKS ON STEREO TYPES AND YOU JUST CONFIRMED ITS RIGHT TO DO SO, Sheldon.

    Seriously, you just gave the show even more cred by making these this stupid post.

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