Florida’s largest regulation agency and Disney are in a authorized battle over the usage of Mickey Mouse in ads. Morgan & Morgan has filed a lawsuit in federal courtroom in search of permission to function the “Steamboat Willie” model of Mickey in its commercials, as reported by ClickOrlando.
The case facilities on “Steamboat Willie” coming into the general public area on January 1, 2024, when its copyright safety expired. This implies anybody can now use the unique Mickey Mouse character from that 1928 cartoon. Nevertheless, Disney nonetheless owns logos associated to Mickey Mouse, creating a posh authorized state of affairs.
Morgan & Morgan desires to air an advert displaying Mickey in a ship collision, with the sufferer then in search of authorized assist. Earlier than continuing, the agency requested Disney if this may be okay. Disney did not give them a transparent reply.
“Morgan & Morgan mentioned it was submitting the lawsuit to get a choice as a result of it in any other case feared being sued by Disney for trademark infringement if it used ‘Steamboat Willie,'” ClickOrlando studies.
Disney is displaying as a lot respect for the general public area because it has demonstrated for respecting the First Modification, as evidenced by suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night present. This is one other instance of their cash trumps regulation credo, once more from ClickOrlando:
The day after the agency contacted Disney, the leisure firm filed a lawsuit in opposition to a jewellery firm over its use of “Steamboat Willie” designs, demonstrating Disney’s continued safety of its mental property rights regardless of the copyright expiration.
Beforehand:
• Mickey Mouse will enter the general public area on January 1, 2024
• John Oliver has enjoyable with the general public area Mickey (video)
• Pleased birthday, Mickey Mouse: creepy picture and first two cartoons!
