Are fables protected by copyright laws?

SOURCE: GEMINI

Fables themselves, the core stories passed down through generations, are not protected by copyright law. This is because copyright protects original works of authorship, and fables are traditionally very old stories that predate copyright laws.

However, there are some situations where copyright might be relevant to fables:

Retellings: If a fable is retold in a new and original way, the specific way it's written might be protected by copyright. This includes the wording, plot variations, and creative additions made by the author.

Modern Adaptations: If a fable is adapted into a movie, play, or other creative work, the new creative elements like characters, dialogue, and setting would likely be protected by copyright.

Artwork and Illustrations: If a fable is illustrated in a comic book or picture book, the illustrations themselves would be protected by copyright.

There's a recent interesting case with the comic book series "Fables" where the creator attempted to release the work into the public domain, though there's an ongoing debate about ownership rights.

Overall, the copyright status of fables depends on how they are presented. The original stories themselves are public domain, but creative retellings and adaptations might have copyright protection.