• Latest
    • AI
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Events Videos
    • Law firm news
    • Trade secrets
    • INTA 2026
  • Trademarks
  • In-house
  • Patents
  • Jurisdictions
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australasia
    • Africa
    • Unified Patent Court
  • Rankings
    • About Rankings
    • Practice Area Rankings
    • Global In-House Elite 2026
    • Diversity & Inclusion Top 100 2025
    • Leaders 2026
    • Directory
  • WIPR Insights
    • Magazines
    • IP services: Product walk-throughs
    • Whitepapers
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • Events schedule
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Login


Request Trial
  • Home
  • Copyright
  • Court confirms Sherlock Holmes is in public domain
shutterstock-158243672-web
Photo: ostill / Shutterstock.com
17 June 2014Copyright

Court confirms Sherlock Holmes is in public domain

A US appeals court has reaffirmed an earlier ruling that the popular Sherlock Holmes stories are in the public domain and his character may be used without permission from right holders.

Already registered?

Login to your account


If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.

For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Copyright
Sherlock Holmes copyright dispute resolved
6 January 2014   The organisation which manages copyright protection for the Sherlock Holmes stories has been told authors may be able to use the character in future works without permission.
Copyright
Author seeks Sherlock Holmes copyright removal
19 February 2013   A US author has asked a court to wipe any existing copyright protection over fictional crime detective Sherlock Holmes, 83 years after his creator’s death.


Editor's picks

EUIPO calls time on Aldi beer in ‘Budvar’ row
Trademarks
EUIPO calls time on Aldi beer in ‘Budvar’ row
3 June 2026

Editor's picks

Trademarks
EUIPO calls time on Aldi beer in ‘Budvar’ row
3 June 2026
Patents
Why enforced arbitration could fix 'dysfunctional' FRAND system
2 June 2026
Trademarks
Google found liable for TM infringement over keyword bidding
1 June 2026
Trademarks
Beyond ‘Use it or lose it’: Jaguar Land Rover counsel on the reality of modern brands
28 May 2026
Trade secrets
How should in-house teams adopt AI? ‘Carefully’, says secrets expert
26 May 2026
Trademarks
Lamborghini reveals the hidden race to protect supercar secrecy
22 May 2026

More articles

‘No deal, Patagonia’ says Pattie Gonia amid controversial TM row
WBD reinforces mechanical patent team with new Atlanta partner
Judge denies C4 drinks maker injunction in trade secrets dispute
Fed Circ wipes out $59m verdict in landmark secrets ruling
From agentic AI to IP financing: Watch sessions from the WIPR Summit 2026
Baker Botts partner joins Winston on the brink of mega-merger
Ford faces U-turn in secrets case as judges restore large damages sum
How should in-house teams adopt AI? ‘Carefully’, says secrets expert

  • Home
  • News
  • Directory
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Subscription

WIPR
Newton Media Ltd
Kingfisher House
21-23 Elmfield Road
BR1 1LT
United Kingdom

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin