This iconic mouse is weeks away fromn being in the public domain Jan. 1, 2024, is the day when ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters the public domain
This iconic mouse is weeks away fromn being in the public domain Jan. 1, 2024, is the day when ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters the public domain
If Disney doesn’t keep illegally extending the copyright dates, continuing to ruin the way copyrights are supposed to actually work, I will legitimately be surprised.
It’s not illegal if you change the laws… 🙃
But if you change the laws via illegal means…
I’m pretty sure that Congress passing legislation concerning interstate trade is expressly permitted in the Constitution. You could make an argument for ethics, practicality, or economics. I don’t think you can make a legality argument here.
The problem is that they’re doing it legally.
I refuse to believe they are not bribing judges and lawmakers. Its not possible that Disney is doing this without doing anything illegal.
They might be doing that… but not possible? Come on dude. That’s just a failure of imagination. There are plenty of legal ways to corrupt the government. Lobbying is the most common one, and very legal. Insisting that they’re committing crimes without any evidence of it is just silly.
Lawful Evil
Even if they wanted, there is not much time left to change anything at this point
Not with that attitude…
[̲̅$̲̅(̲̅ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
need to revert it back to 20 years with one extension allowed.
*17 years
I actually like the 20year with extension. That gives authors 40 effing years to make money on it. If you could not in that time then boo hoo.
deleted by creator
Mickey Mouse is no longer as relevant in Disney’s dominance anymore. They got bigger cash cows to milk.
Even less so for the version in Steamboat Willy, which is all that would be released. Modern Mickey is not being released anytime soon.
Sure, but it is still the icon and mascot of disney.
That’s why it’s trademarked. Unlike a copyright, trademarks can last forever.
But from what I’m understanding third parties will be able to use it at will to some extent, right? Disney must have an interest in keeping something so representative under tight control, even if it’s just the first version.
You can use the character without infringing the trademark. Part of the reason they scatter the hidden Mickey shape everywhere is because that’s part of the branding.
A good example of using the character without infringing trademark is the “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” movie.
Thanks, it seems I had quite the wrong idea, I’ll have to read up on the topic.