Mickey Mouse

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by ottodo, Dec 3, 2006.

  1. #1
    ottodo, Dec 3, 2006 IP
  2. ReadyToGo

    ReadyToGo Peon

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    #2
    "Many people have believed erroneously that the Mickey Mouse character is protected only by copyright. In fact, the Mickey Mouse character, like all major Disney characters, is protected as a trademark, which like all trademarks lasts in perpetuity as long as it continues to be used commercially by its owner. Whether or not a particular Disney cartoon goes into the public domain, the characters themselves will remain protected as trademarks from unauthorized use.

    The Walt Disney Company has become well known for protecting its trademark on the Mickey Mouse character, whose likeness is so closely associated with the company, with particular zeal. Disney chose not to sue Paul Krassner for publishing Wally Wood's illustration of The Disneyland Memorial Orgy in the underground newspaper The Realist in 1967, and didn't pursue legal redress until a bootleg blacklight poster appeared. In a protracted case in the 1970s, Disney sued underground cartoonist Dan O'Neill for his comic book Air Pirates, even going so far as to request the court press criminal charges." - taken from Wikipedia
     
    ReadyToGo, Dec 3, 2006 IP
  3. Nonny

    Nonny Notable Member

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    #3
    Nonny, Dec 6, 2006 IP
  4. ReadyToGo

    ReadyToGo Peon

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    #4
    They seem to have gone too far on that one, but it's a good example of what could happen.
     
    ReadyToGo, Dec 6, 2006 IP
  5. MattKNC

    MattKNC Peon

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    #5
    I don't blame Disney for being so zealous to protect what rightfully belongs to them. In this litigious age, if a child gets hurt at a day care center which features Disney characters, you can bet that Disney would be one of the parties sued.
     
    MattKNC, Dec 7, 2006 IP
  6. stock_post

    stock_post Prominent Member

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    #6
    The simple answer is No.

    Thanks
     
    stock_post, Dec 7, 2006 IP
  7. Correctus

    Correctus Straight Edge

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    #7
    Nope you can't, Disney owns all copyrights to the image, the name and the Mickey

    IT
     
    Correctus, Dec 8, 2006 IP