How can I find who owns the filming/adaptation rights?

[groovygarden]

There's an old book from the late 30's which I would love to write a screenplay for. The book is now out of print, but was adapted by the BBC back in the mid 70's.

How can I find out who, if anyone, holds the adaptation rights? Are there different rights to turn a book into a film as opposed to a TV series?

And, if I write my screenplay - what do I do with it next?!

[mightywease]

I think your best course of action is to find out who is the Literary Agent for the author or author's estate.

If the book was written in the late 1930's then it is most probably still in copyright as, I think, copyright extends 75 years after the death of the author.

If you know the original publisher and they are still in existance try contacting them

[mightywease]

Sorry - slight confusion copyright on plays and books lasts 70 years from the death of the author unless the author is unknown, then it is 70 years from publication.