Deconstructing Harry Potter: Reconstituting Literary Properties Into Derivative Gold Mines

NEW YORK, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- I Wanna Be On®, the innovative social media research and production company, is reaching out to copyright holders for them to consider granting an innovative literary license that will allow new uses for their characters and related creative elements into derivative entertainment and media projects.

Vincent Presti, a practicing attorney, has recently noticed a surge in copyright litigation regarding permissible and impermissible parody uses of copyrighted materials and has concluded that the legal risks could have not only a chilling effect on creativity, but pejoratively effect potential revenue opportunities for copyright holders.

As a result, I Wanna Be On has been receiving numerous requests from educational and religious institutions regarding current permissible parody protections and has concluded that such institutions should approach directly copyright holders to negotiate specific terms that include permissible commercial uses and a right-of-first refusal for the original copyright holder to benefit from any commercial exploitation of the parody.

According to Presti,

"Various clients have asked about adding Christian or educational elements into Harry Potter storylines and there is simply no bright line rules.  An ideal situation came to me while listening to the Spider-Man musical soundtrack that sounds easily adaptable for a contemporary Christian audience.  What if the producers developed a Christian-themed version of the story with different characters and plot line, but with modifications to the current score?  Then, perhaps they can recoup on their $75 million investment sooner if a derivative version of the musical was touring the country and tapping into a contemporary Christian audience that could drive their Broadway ticket sales."

I Wanna Be On® is currently speaking with clients about developing other parody-related properties, but has not approached any Spider-Man producers at this time.

About the Company

Founded in 2006, I Wanna Be On® is a pioneering empowerment media organization. Our first-look deal with CBS Eye Two Productions to develop legal-themed reality programming evolved into an Internet media enterprise focused on helping individuals and businesses improve their ordinary routines through imaginative, problem-solving exercises.

Professor Vincent Presti, Founder and CEO, was a former associate at Wilson Sonsini in Palo Alto and Director of Business Operations at Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City.

For additional information, you can visit www.iwannabeon.com, send an e-mail to [email protected], or contact Vincent Presti directly at 212 924 3901 or 212 242 1927.

SOURCE I Wanna Be On