Black and White and Brilliant: Protecting Black-and-White Films from Color-Recoding

Authors

Suzanne Ilene Schiller

Abstract

Until the 1940s, motion pictures were almost always received, filmed, and shown in black-and-white. Recently, several companies have begun to mechanically add color to these old and often classic films. This process, known as colorization or color-recoding, has motion picture artists enraged. These filmmakers believe that no one should have the right to alter a completed work of art. The author reviews the background of this controversy, surveys several possible legal causes of action which filmmakers may use to protect their black-and-white films, and concludes that directors and other film artists are not powerless and can successfully use existing laws to prevent color-recoding.

Recommended Citation

Suzanne Ilene Schiller, Black and White and Brilliant: Protecting Black-and-White Films from Color-Recoding, 9 UC Law SF Comm. & Ent. L.J. 523 (1986).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_comm_ent_law_journal/vol9/iss3/4