Trademark Protection For Characters Outside Copyright

As the copyright terms of many iconic, character-based works of the 20th Century near closure, owners of these works face the question as to what extent they can enjoy exclusive rights in the characters they have created. Enterprising third parties raise the related question: Does the expiration of copyright mean these works and characters can be freely exploited? Once a copyright term lapses, an original work is said to pass into the public domain, available for all to freely copy and exploit. However, continued trademark protection for a character may delay or complicate the character's passage into the public domain. A careful analysis of fundamental principles of trademark and copyright law and relevant case law illuminate certain legal guideposts for navigating through the complexities of character protection.