Estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Mysteriously Absent

Sherlock Holmes has enjoyed quite the revival in recentyears.  Recent feature films, a BBCseries, and a CBS series are all licensed by the estate of Sir Arthur ConanDoyle. 

However, a recent book by Leslie Klinger comprising new storiesabout Holmes from modern day authors elicited a letter from the estatedemanding licensing fees.  Klinger “tookthe estate to court claiming the copyright on certain story elements hadexpired and he should be allowed to publish.” A default judgment was entered after no one representing the estateshowed.  There is still no response asKlinger has requested a judgment rendering the estate unable to collect anymore licensing revenue.

See Nick Clark, Sherlock Holmes Mystery: Sir Arthur ConanDoyle’s Estate and the Case of Character Licensing Rights, The Independent,Aug. 1, 2013.