New Short: ROBIN RESCUES BATMAN!

[Toyland Chairman]

http://www.rifftrax.com/shorts/robin-rescues-batman



Probably a fat chance since these are owned by Warner Bros., but is is possible all of these can be released in a Rifftrax DVD once they're all finished?

[Compound]

Actually, these were released by Columbia which I think means that Sony controls the copyright these days.

[RoninFox]

Sweet, I was already planning to buy some stuff to round out any Christmas riffs I didn't have already, and upgrading a couple that are VOD now, and between the $5 gift certificate from Black Friday and the coupon code from the live show, I'm going to make out like a bandit here.  Adding more Batman to the deal?  Pure gravy.

[Toyland Chairman]

I thought Warner Bros. owned everything DC related. Oh well.

[KidFlash]

I thought Warner Bros. owned everything DC related. Oh well.

Sony/Columbia released the entire serial on DVD in 2005 to tie in with Batman Begins, so clearly Columbia's maintained the copyright over the years. Plus Fox still has the rights to the 60s TV show and movie, which is one of the reasons why the show hasn't had a legit video release yet.

[Johnny Unusual]

I thought Warner Bros. owned everything DC related. Oh well.

Clearly you have never asked yourself "I wonder why the Adam West Batman series isn't on DVD?"

[Bob]

I thought Warner Bros. owned everything DC related. Oh well.

Clearly you have never asked yourself "I wonder why the Adam West Batman series isn't on DVD?"

I just assumed The Joker had something to do with that......

[RoninFox]

I thought Warner Bros. owned everything DC related. Oh well.

Clearly you have never asked yourself "I wonder why the Adam West Batman series isn't on DVD?"

I just assumed The Joker had something to do with that......

He was a bit embarrassed about the mustache he had back then.

[Toyland Chairman]

Clearly you have never asked yourself "I wonder why the Adam West Batman series isn't on DVD?"

If Fox owns the Adam West show, why don't they release it to DVD? They released the movie to DVD.

[Trekker4747]

Clearly you have never asked yourself "I wonder why the Adam West Batman series isn't on DVD?"

If Fox owns the Adam West show, why don't they release it to DVD? They released the movie to DVD.

There's a lot of rights issues, particularly with non B&R characters who appeared on the show (most notably in the wall-climbing scenes/skits.) There's also some who think it could also have to with not wanting to damage Batman's "rep" by releasing the campy series while the darker-toned take on the character is so popular.  But, in the end, it's probably more the rights thing.

[RoninFox]

Yeah, I doubt there's much fear of the series damaging Batman's rep, at least not anymore.  Considering DC Comics is publishing this now.



Mostly it's just a matter of two large conglomerates arguing over what percentage they deserve.

[Toyland Chairman]

There's a lot of rights issues, particularly with non B&R characters who appeared on the show (most notably in the wall-climbing scenes/skits.) There's also some who think it could also have to with not wanting to damage Batman's "rep" by releasing the campy series while the darker-toned take on the character is so popular.  But, in the end, it's probably more the rights thing.

It has to be rights issues of some kind. Worrying about this show damaging the character's reputation is too far fetched, seeing is this show is already a big part of popular culture. Also, I don't think Fox would care as long as they can make money off it.

[Johnny Unusual]

Here's a rundown on the reported rights issues, though there are conflicting reports.

Via wikipedia:

Disagreement between DC Comics, owners of the Batman character, after DC's sister/parent company Warner Bros. took over DC in 1969. Warner Bros. could also be involved, as well as 20th Century Fox, owners of the program itself.

Greenway/ABC/Fox rights issues. The Batman series was conceived as an equal partnership between William Dozier's Greenway Productions and Fox in 1964, before Fox entered into a separate agreement with ABC to produce the series in 1965. With three companies involved almost from the outset, there is some speculation that these rights are tangled even before the DC Comics character ownership rights are to be considered.

Moreover:

In 2006, Deborah Dozier Potter, "the successor-in-interest to Greenway Productions" sued Fox for allegedly withholding monies under the Fox/ABC agreement. Dozier Potter further claimed that this came to her attention when, in March 2005, "she considered releasing the series on DVD", implying that (from her perspective at least) Greenway/Dozier Potter has some say in the matter of potential DVD release of the series. The case was resolved/dismissed in November 2007. In February 2005, John Stacks had approached Deborah Dozier Potter to market the series on DVD. There were many offers and lots of interest in the release of the series, as can be read in Joel Eisner's The Official Batbook Revised Bat Edition 2008.

Other complications/rights issues:

Christopher D. Heer, writing at the "1966 Batman Message Board", clarified a quote by moderator Lee Kirkham, noting that there will likely be the need for complicated deals regarding cameos, since "...at least some of the cameos were done as uncredited, unpaid walk-ons – which means that Fox does NOT have home video clearances for them. Either those scenes would have to be cut or an agreement reached with the actors."

Kirkham's initial quote also noted that, alongside music clearance issues, there could also be problems over some of the costumes, and the original Batmobile:

"It may surprise you, but then there are also rights issues concerning the design of the unique Batmobile design used in the show, and possibly a separate issue regarding some of the costumes as well!".

[RoninFox]

It does seem like there is some kind of slow progress on the rights issues.  It's only the past couple years that there's been able to be any new merchandise at all based on the show, which was itself a breakthrough.