Kahle v. AshcroftChallenge of the GoBots
originally submitted by Ryan Killian:
An animated television program created by Hanna Barbera Studios between 1984 and 1986.
Stifled uses
Ryan Killian:
I wanted to work with Warner Brothers (current owners of Hanna Barbera) on releasing a DVD set. After many attempts to inquire about this series, I finally reached some people in the legal department. They stated that corporate policy forbid licensing of the studios properties to outside studios. Unfortunately, they also have no plans whatsoever to do it themselves either through the home video division or recently acquired Rhino Entertainment. I was furthmore denied access to broadcast tapes or copies thereof.
While this project started as an effort to acquire a personal copy of the full series (which was, incidentally, never available at retail), it quickly gained the interest of the fan community. As the 1980s comeback and TV-to-DVD movements continue to pick up steam, the situation only becomes more puzzling. I have only limited capacity to do this unofficially but would much rather do it legality and with a small bit of help.
Last I heard, the Thundercats (another program from the same era, also in Warner's vault) advocacy group was having the very same difficulties. There are likely hundreds of other works in the Hanna Barbera library that will never see the light of day again if Warner has it's way.
ISRAEL VILCHEZ TOLEDO: