What are the legal aspects around distribution of a new work based on public domain work but in a new medium?
<p>For example, <a href="http://looneytunes.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Public_domain_films" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this fan wiki page</a> contains a list of some work that is now in the public domain.</p>

<p>As I understand it, it is legal to sell these works and even new works based on these. What is not so clear for me is what happens when you port over that work to another medium/art form.</p>

<p>It seems, from what I've read that it would be okay to make an extended version of the cartoon or to shoot a live version with actors, i.e. drop the cartoon element. </p>

<p>However, could one legally create and distribute a short video game based on these movies? A potential problem is that while the work has fallen into public domain, the characters are trademarked.</p>

<p>But if so, why is that not an issue if one produces an extended cut of the original?</p>

<p>Otherwise, under which criteria could this be done?</p>

<p>If it's in the public domain, it's in the public domain.  You can do whatever you want with it, so yes, you could definitely make a video game.  I cannot answer the trademark questions.</p>

copyright trademark public-domain