# How do I get permission to write a story about an established character?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-permission-to-write-a-story-about-an-established-character/593324>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 19, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-permission-to-write-a-story-about-an-established-character/593324 "2011-08-19T15:18:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-permission-to-write-a-story-about-an-established-character/593324/1 "2011-08-19T15:18:33Z")

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I know there is fan fiction, but that doesn’t require permission.  
Lets say I have an idea for a story centered around the original Captain Marvel. I pound out my novel or screenplay. How do I get it published without being sued? Do I have to buy the rights first or is that the job of an agent/publisher?