The Arthur Ransome Literary Estate

Introduction

Arthur Ransome died on 3rd June, 1967. All his works are currently in copyright in the UK and other territories around the world. The only known exception to this relates to those works published prior to 1923 in the USA. Under US law, these are considered to be in the public domain, but only within the United States.

Under UK law, the bulk of Arthur Ransome's works will remain in copyright until 31st December, 2037. Those works first published after his death will continue in copyright until 70 years after the year of first publication. The Blue Treacle, for example, was first published in 1993 by Amazon Publications, so it will remain in copyright until 2063.

The Literary Estate

So long as Ransome's works remain in copyright, they form his Literary Estate. The Estate is managed, in accordance with Ransome's own instructions, by three Executors. The current Executors are Christina Hardyment, Geraint Lewis and Elizabeth Sewart.

The Estate and TARS

People have occasionally confused the relationship between the Literary Estate and TARS. To avoid any confusion, it should be noted that the Estate is not a part of TARS, nor is TARS a part of the Estate. The Society and the Estate are completely separate entities.

That said, the Executors have always taken a close interest in the Society, and TARS is grateful for their encouragement and support. In particular, the Society is grateful for the Executors' ongoing permission to use copyright material in its internal publications, such as Mixed Moss. TARS is also grateful for the various permissions it has received over the years to use material in other ways, such as on this website.

Copyright Material 

It should be apparent from the above that TARS does not own rights to Ransome's works, nor is the Society in a position to grant rights to individuals or other organisations to use copyright material belonging to the Estate. If anybody wishes to use such material, they need to seek permission from the Executors directly, or from their sub-rights agents (Random House), as follows:

Random House hold exclusive licence to publish the Swallows and Amazons series through their Jonathan Cape (hardback) and Red Fox (paperback) imprints. They also hold licences to publish The Autobiography of Arthur Ransome and Rod and Line. Anybody wishing to use quotations, drawings or bookcovers from the series or these other titles should contact Random House in the first instance. Note that permission fees are usually charged.

Permission to exploit unpublished material, copyright material currently out of print, or other Ransome works currently in print should be sought from the Literary Executors direct. Again fees may be charged.

There are substantial Ransome archives in the Special Collections Department of Leeds University Library (often referred to colloquially as the Brotherton Collection) and at Abbot Hall in Kendal. Note that if you wish to use material from either location you will also need their respective permission to use it, and they may choose to levy their own charges independently of any required by the Estate. 

Trademark

The phrase "Swallows and Amazons" is a registered trademark of The Arthur Ransome Literary Estate (UK Trademark No 2219604). If you wish to exploit the trademark, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, permission must be sought from the Executors. Please note that permission will not be automatic and fees may be charged.

Contacts

You may contact the Executors using this complimentary email address: literaryestate@arthur-ransome.org Please note that emails sent to this address forward automatically and are not read by anybody at TARS.

For permissions enquiries to Random House, contact: Permissions Manager, The Permissions Department, Random House Group Ltd., 1 Cole St., Crown Park, Rusheden, Northants, NN10 6RZ, United Kingdom.