Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Children Book Versions of Classic Novels Not Fair Use

By Vincent Peppe
October 02, 2017

In 2016, Frederik Colting and Melisa Medina planned to launch a series of 50 children's books, each book summarizing a great novel. They began by publishing versions of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's, Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, Jack Kerouac's On the Road and Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. They called their colorfully illustrated summaries KinderGuides. The front covers of the books prominently displayed the titles of the novels, the names of the authors, the word KinderGuides and, in much smaller print, “Early Learning Guides to Culture Classics.”

The four guides shared the same format: featured illustrations, one-line quotations by the authors of the novels, an illustration of the underlying novel's author, and “Story Summary,” “Main Characters,” “Key Words,” “Quiz Questions” and “Analysis” sections. In January 2017, the owners of the copyrights to the novels filed a copyright infringement suit against Colting and Medina in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case is a useful tale for lawyers who advise publishers on either side of such a dispute. Penguin Random House LLC v. Colting, 17-cv-386.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

Law Firms are Reducing Redundant Real Estate by Bringing Support Services Back to the Office Image

A trend analysis of the benefits and challenges of bringing back administrative, word processing and billing services to law offices.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Bit Parts Image

Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.