Who owns the copyright to the smiley face icon? According to the article, Harvey Ball, who created it, did not copyright it, but others did.
It’s tougher to protect characters than stories. A look at how copyrighting and trademarking characters works. Brian Cronin looks at how this relates to Marvel’s use of Fu Manchu.
Passive Voice looks at orphan works: the copyright holder can’t be found, so nobody can secure the rights to republish them.
Can you copyright a quilt?
#SFWApro. Cover by Dave Gibbons, all rights remain with current holder.