* The original works by J.R.R. Tolkien are protected by copyright, and the rights are currently owned by The Tolkien Estate.
* The movie adaptations by New Line Cinema also have their own separate copyrights.
While the copyright on the original works may eventually expire (copyright durations vary by country), the movie adaptations are protected for a much longer period.
Here's a breakdown:
* Copyright on Tolkien's works: This will vary depending on the specific country and when the works were first published. In the US, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. So, for Tolkien's works, the copyright will continue to be protected for many decades to come.
* Copyright on the movie adaptations: This is protected for 95 years from the date of publication of the film.
It's important to note that copyright protection applies to various aspects of the Lord of the Rings, including the story, characters, settings, and even specific elements like the One Ring.
This means you need permission from the copyright holders to:
* Adapt the story for your own work.
* Create merchandise based on the characters.
* Use the Lord of the Rings name or imagery for commercial purposes.
You can find more information on the Tolkien Estate's website and New Line Cinema's website.