VALIS writes “New Zealand novelist Nigel Cox is facing demands to stop publishing his novel Tarzan Presley. The novel is a humourous combination of the stories of Tarzan and Elvis Presley.
The demands come from Edgar Rice Burroughs Incorporated, the estate of Tarzan’s creator, who claim copyright infringement. Cox’s publisher points out that the novel is a literary reinvention, not an attempt at passing off as a genuine work by Burroughs. It would therefore seem to be protected under copyright law.
More convincing protection comes from the fact that Burroughs died in 1950 (Wikipedia). Under New Zealand copyright law, copyright in a literary work lasts for 50 years after the death of the creator (Copyright Act 1994).
As a possibly ironic aside, about eight years ago I worked for the Museum of New Zealand, ensuring the Museum complied with copyright legislation. Nigel Cox was my manager.”
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