MovieChat Forums > The Hunt for Gollum (2009) Discussion > Can they sue for making this film?

Can they sue for making this film?

posted 16 years ago by AtheistRevolution
6 replies | jump to latest

I thought you had to own the rights to make these films.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AtheistRevolution 16 years ago

Does the family own the rights? I heard they're pissed because they didn't get enough profits from the movie series. So could they sue for this movie? Or is this movie being released for free?

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

[–] bs187 16 years ago

If they don't have the rights, which they clearly don't, AND charge a fee for viewing or copies of their short, then yes they could be sued. Also if the right holders can show that after they sent a cease and desist and the "Gollum" folks refused to stop the free releases and the right holders can show that the continued release causes damage to their franchise then they could sue off of that basis as well.

Usually anyone can make a short about anything thing as long as they don't charge - see Batman Dead End youtube.

[–] markthomas26 16 years ago

it's a free movie so doubt it

[–] jernej-tojersu 15 years ago

Since its being offered free of charge, and theyre not really charging anything for it and because its based on a book thats over 50 years old. I doubt theres anything they need to pay up for making the movie.

Just enjoy it and dont worry about it.

[–] megArnold 15 years ago

Filming rights for LOTR and The Hobbit are with Saul Zaentz (Tolkien Enterprises). He secured filming rights for both novels in 1976.
AFAIK, the makers of Hunt for Gollum have an agreement that the right holders "overlook" this picture as long as no commercial profit is made with it. This is a common practice for fan-made films.