Who owns Futurama?

[on:]

if some guy came along with a big fat wad of cash and said, "right matt, go make me a new series/film". can groening simply go where he wants and make it, or has he GOT to get fox to say OK and work with/for them?

i know all the eps so far belong to fox, but that's cos' it's was their cash used to make it.

simply, did matt make a deal with the devil(fox) about futurama, so to speak?

[Reply #1 on:]

FOX and the Curiosity Company are the exclusive owners of the copyright, trademark, etc. of Futurama, as the legal notice say at the buttom of this page. Also why FOX loves sending C&D letters to fansites.

If a rich uncle came along and gave Groening a wad of cash, they'd have to buy out FOX first.

[Reply #2 on:]

I have one question to anyone how is knowledgible on this subject. If they made an entire new series of Futurama and not just a new season, would fox still own the rights?

[Reply #3 on:]

Edit: Sorry, ignore this.

[Reply #4 on:]

What? Do you mean changing the name?

If they just changed the name, then FOX would probably sue the TV Channel that started the Futurama Imitator, but if they changed the show so much that the channel couldn't be sued, then I guess FOX wouldn't own the rights.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by ShortRoundMcfly:
I have one question to anyone how is knowledgible on this subject. If they made an entire new series of Futurama and not just a new season, would fox still own the rights?

Yeah, if the new show had the same characters or name etc.

[Reply #6 on:]

*looks at the title of the thread*

MEEEEEEEE!!!!

I think I'm going to go knock over a trash can if it will make me feel more like a man.

[Reply #7 on:]

Doomsville.  Art Director, Jhonen Vasquez. ;D

[Reply #8 on:]

Futurama in Jhonen's hands? What kind of show would we have then? [imagines heads exploding and vampire piggies flying everywhere] ...coooool...

[Reply #9 on:]

I might be nailing my ignorance to the mast here: what's a C&D letter?

[Reply #10 on:]

Cease & Desist letter... TLZ has collected quite a few.  Basically FOX comes in and tells you stop doing your website or else they'll take you to court.  The legal notice things you see on all the Futurama websites is to show that FOX & the Curiosity Company do indeed own the show and everything affiliated with it.

[Reply #11 on:]

For further information, here is one of C&D letters TLZ have collected during the years (this one from Feb 2002). How many is it by now? 4?

[Reply #12 on:]

I always wondered why the Sci-Fi Channel never came in and saved Futurama.  They breathe Sci-fi: Stargate, Farscape, for example. 

They weren't able to afford the rights?  If the Sci-Fi channel were able promote Futurama, it would be perfect.  Of course, Cartoon Network promoting Futurama would be just as good.

[Reply #13 on:]

 

Originally posted by fryfanSpyOrama:
I always wondered why the Sci-Fi Channel never came in and saved Futurama. They breathe Sci-fi: Stargate, Farscape, for example.

I agree with you FFSO. I mean those show cost alot more, granted they use real people but if they have the money to of kept Farscape going they could fork out a Million bucks an episode for Futurama.

I watched Farscape for the the first 1 or 2 sessons and then I thought, "Whats the point".

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by DogDoo8
I watched Farscape for the the first 1 or 2 sessons and then I thought, "Whats the point".

It's Australian Star Trek with puppets.  What's not to like?  Basically, its purpose is to confuse the hell out of Americans who aren't used to complex plots in SciFi shows.  (I know it confused the hell out of me.)

[Reply #15 on:]

It never confused me.... 

And I too have pondered why Sci-fi never thought about getting ahold of Futurama.... Then again they did pick up that Futuramaesque clone Trippin' the Rift

[Reply #16 on:]

anybody else seeing a little treat in one of the C&D letters that Teral linked to?

 

Your interest in "Futurama" is most appreciated. Fox will continue
todo its best to bring you quality entertainment.

[Reply #17 on:]

Yes, we noticed that bit of irony long long long ago   

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
For further information, here is one of C&D letters TLZ have collected during the years (this one from Feb 2002). How many is it by now? 4?

to me, that just proves what bastards FOX are, just leave the websites alone, talk about a  power trip

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nerd-O-Rama:
It's Australian Star Trek with puppets. What's not to like? Basically, its purpose is to confuse the hell out of Americans who aren't used to complex plots in SciFi shows. (I know it confused the hell out of me.)

Hey I'm a star trek fan and i'm also australian but it just became..... a bit confusing as you said N-O-R.
But maybe we should owe that one to Australias channel 9 they were just as bad as channel 7 with Futurama!

I wonder what the Holly Wood "blockbuster" is going to be like.

[Reply #20 on:]

Far Scape's Australian?
That explains a lot.

[Reply #21 on:]

It's filmed in Australia, and uses Australian actors, but it's not an Australian production.

But still... muppets. Real, honest to God, Jim Henson muppets! Awesome.

[Reply #22 on:]

Don't forgot about Yoda, he's cool.  I like Jim Henson muppets that aren't looked upon as just puppets, like on Sesame Street, or the Muppet Show.

In any event, does anybody know whether the Sci-fi channel has ever considered buying the rights to Futurama.  I did read an article on the Sci-fi channel site, discussing the cancelation of Futurama and how its ratings on CN are high.  However, the Sci-fi Channel has never considered buying the right to Futurama?  Instead they have Trippin' the Rift, a show I've not scene, but do know Maurice LaMarche does the voice of a gay robot named Gus.

[Reply #23 on:]

Those muppets are far better than Star Trek view of aliens. You can really see how they cheap on the budget.

Director: "I need him to be an alien!"
Special effects guy: "Sure, no problem. Hey, actor buddy, tilt your head 45 degrees! now pout all the time! excellent! See? an alien!"
Director: "But he still looks totally human! Wait! Actor, can you also blink alot? excellent! Now THAT is an alien!"

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
For further information, here is one of C&D letters TLZ have collected during the years (this one from Feb 2002). How many is it by now? 4?

At least TLZ got C&D letters, i just got deleted off Alltoons with a small email saying i vioated some TOCs which i never agreeded to (and didn't even violate anyway).

[Reply #25 on:]

 

Originally posted by Blythy:
anybody else seeing a little treat in one of the C&D letters that Teral linked to?

 

Your interest in "Futurama" is most appreciated. Fox will continue
todo its best to bring you quality entertainment.

Homer:They don't mean anything. They're just words, like "I'll do it later" and "I love you"."

 

Originally posted by aslate:
 At least TLZ got C&D letters, i just got deleted off Alltoons with a small email saying i vioated some TOCs which i never agreeded to (and didn't even violate anyway).

We get C&D's because we're special. 
Ralph: "I'm special!"

[Reply #26 on:]

If there was a chance of revival, I don't think the title should be changed.  I certainly don't think the guy who invited Invader Zim should take over the show. 

I like Futurama just as it is.  Although it did have two more titles:  Doomsville (I don't know why the show would be called that, there's nothing doom about it!)  And Aloha Mars.

[Reply #27 on:]

I love Invader Zim - has anyone red 'Johnny the Homocidal Maniac' - that's by the same guy - Nick' gave him (johan vasquez) the Zim contract without seeing that one apparently - oh, how I miss spell check -
Any way, I don't think Johan should do Futurama either - i like them both but their different from each other and I like it that way!

[Reply #28 on:]

The Sci-Fi channel did rerun episodes of Brimstone which originally aired on Fox.
However it was created at Warner Bros. and sold to Fox to air.
So must be Sci-Fi obtained the rights from Warner Bros?

[Reply #29 on:]

Question: Who owns Futurama?

Answer: News Corp.