From: "Dana Shilling" dshilling@worldnet.att.net Subject: Re: [B7L] Re: copyright
You can't copyright a character either, but when you copyright a written work you gain the right to control use of the characters of that work in derivative works. The most plausible scenario is that the BBC controlled both the B7 and Dr. Who properties (I'm not sure if Boucher wrote the script in which Carnell appears--if so, he might be the copyright proprietor) and told him to go ahead and have a laugh.
This seems to be accurate, based on a reading of the book in question (whatever its called!).
Mr Boucher (I think) wrote 'Weapon' and so he can use original characters and concepts from the episode.
He is permitted to freely use the Carnell character. In addition to this, he is also allowed to freely use the 'psychostrategist' concept because this first came up in his work (and presumably was his idea).
He is not allowed to use the Servalan character, nor is he permitted to discuss the 'Federation' - at least not without negotiations and fees being paid.
I use the 'Federation' in quote marks, because it is the name of the totalitarian (is that the right word?) government featured in Blakes 7. In the book, Carnell is described as having worked for A totalitarian federation in the past. Note that 'federation' is a description of an organisation, whereas 'Federation' is the name of a particular organisation, in this case created by someone else. Carnell's history does not go into specifics, Boucher doesn't discuss the Blakes 7 universe or the episode 'Weapon' in any way, except for the inclusion of Carnell.
On the Dr Who side, Boucher did not create Dr Who and its associated paraphernalia (Tardis, Doctor, Time Lords, etc.) He did create the world on which the book is set, the robots, and the original characters in the book. So of course he is free to do what he wants with these. Naturally, since it's a Doctor Who book, Boucher was permitted to use the Doctor Who-related paraphernalia. I don't know about Leela, however. She DID first appear in one of Boucher's scripts, but he may have been instructed to introduce the character, after she was created by the script editor (or whomever). I think the Leela character is BBC-owned.
Wildean
I've just re-read all of the above, and I'm unsure if it even makes sense! If not, then I apologise (and will re-write if necessary). And I can't even remember the name of the book I'm talking about here!!