In 2009, Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks company paid the estate for film rights to King’s words, along with his life rights, which allow a person or company to make content based on an individual’s story. DreamWorks has yet to produce or direct Spielberg’s planned King biopic, but the rights have caused complications for numerous filmmakers. (Neither Spielberg’s literary agent nor King’s estate returned Broadly’s request for comment.)
At least Mickey Mouse cartoons have finally begun dropping out of copyright into the Public Domain these days.
As MLK was shot in 1968, this won’t happen until 2039 or 2059.