Federal Court Says Stick Figure Not Copyrightable
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a stick figure cartoon character engaged in various everyday activities is not protected by copyright. When two similar drawings of stick figures share anatomical features such as arms, legs, faces, and fingers, these poses and the ideas and their drawings belong to the public domain.
The case involves Albert and John Jacob’s Jake “Life is good” character and Gary Blehm’s Penman character. Blehm sued in 2009 alleging copyright infringement.