Recent comments in /f/todayilearned

VaudevilleDada t1_jeart1g wrote

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neryen t1_jearc1l wrote

They can release it in the UK, and have previously, just fine. The hospital sold the rights for movie adaptations to Paramount pictures, who then sold it to Disney in the 1930s. They likely pay royalties to the hospital.

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oswaldluckyrabbiy t1_jeaq9ns wrote

Not quite true. Steamboat Willie isn't set to enter public domain until Jan 2024.

Disney has been using the likeness of Mickey in Steamboat Willie as the logo for Walt Disney Animation since Tangled in 2010 with the goal of establishing trademark for that version of Mickey.

They have been using red-pants Mickey as part of the logo of The Walt Disney Company since (I think) the 50's so their case there is stronger.

They are hoping between the two that any other style of depicting Mickey Mouse will be close enough to create 'brand confusion' with one of the versions and hence be able to be litigated against.

Not guaranteed to work but Disney has one of the best legal teams.

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benefit_of_mrkite t1_jeapfgj wrote

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