Netflix and the estate of “Sherlock Holmes” author Arthur Conan Doyle have agreed to dismiss with prejudice a lawsuit brought by the latter against the streamer due to their recent smash hit film “Enola Holmes”.
Conan Doyle died in 1930. Though most of his writing is in the public domain, ten of his stories remain under copyright in the US for the next two years.
The lawsuit, brought against Netflix, Legendary Pictures, author Nancy Springer and others associated with the adaptation, argued that Conan Doyle created “significant new character traits for Holmes and Watson” in those ten stories.
They alleged that the “Enola Holmes” film infringed copyright by depicting a warmer and more emotional version of Sherlock (Henry Cavill) in the film. In response, the defendants argued that feelings, personality traits and emotions were not protectable.
It’s likely the case was settled, though it’s not clear at present. In any case, it likely clears the way for an “Enola Holmes” sequel to progress.
Source: The Guardian