Halloween Spooktacular 3: Losing Your Monster

IP Goes Pop

Have you ever wondered how your favorite Halloween monsters became pop culture icons? In this Spooktacular episode of IP Goes Pop!®, hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue dive into the fascinating legal stories behind Frankenstein, Dracula, and Zombies, revealing how intellectual property (IP) law shapes their enduring legacies.

What to Expect:

Frankenstein: Explore the evolution of Mary Shelley’s creation and how Universal Studios' iconic design—complete with neck bolts and green skin—became legally protected. Discover why retelling Shelley’s tale is fair game, but copying Universal's portrayal could lead to legal nightmares.

Count Dracula: Learn about Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel and the epic copyright battle sparked by Nosferatu. Understand how this clash influenced vampire lore and led to the famous idea that sunlight turns vampires to ash, showcasing the lasting impact of unauthorized adaptations.

Zombies: Uncover the public domain twist surrounding George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, which redefined the zombie genre. See how this copyright mishap opened the door for filmmakers to innovate, leading to everything from the fast-paced ghouls of 28 Days Later to the comedic takes in Zombieland.

Through these stories, Michael and Joe highlight the dual role of IP law in protecting creativity while inspiring fresh takes on beloved characters. Discover how the transition of these monsters into the public domain has unlocked endless opportunities for reinvention, proving that legal complexities can spark cultural magic.

Whether you’re curious about the intersection of IP law and pop culture or just want to delve into the histories of these iconic monsters, this episode is packed with insights and eerie details. Tune in for a deep dive into the legal twists that keep these ghoulish figures alive (or undead) for generations! 🎙️👻

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For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

Key Moments & Quick Links:

0:39 Halloween Spooktacular III

Spooktacular 1: A Nightmare On Independence Ave

Halloween Spooktacular 2: The Return

2:34 Favorite Horror Monsters

Dracula (1931)

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

5:40 Frankenstein's Monster

Frankenstein (1931)

Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, Ghost of Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)

15:10 Dracula

Nosferatu (1922)

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Blade (1998)

Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Stephen King's Salem’s Lot (1979)

23:15 Zombies: From Folklore to Pop Culture

28 Days Later (2002)

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Zombieland (2009)

George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Blair Witch Project (1999)

Paranormal Activity (2007)

25:38 Creativity from Legal Challenges

31:19 Final Thoughts and Halloween Wishes