- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,761
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Morgan and Morgan has decided to drop its lawsuit against Disney over the use of Steamboat Willie, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
The law firm initially sued Disney in September 2025, arguing that they should be able to use Steamboat Willie in their ads since its copyright expired in 2024. They sought a legal ruling to use the iconic cartoon character without fear of a lawsuit from Disney.
In dismissing the case, the firm left the door open to potentially file again in the future. They didn’t disclose the reason for dropping the suit or if an agreement was reached. Apparently, Disney's legal team was not willing to provide guidance to third parties, fueling the firm's initial legal action.
Morgan and Morgan created a black-and-white ad showing Mickey on a boat colliding with a car, where Minnie calls the firm for help. They included a disclaimer clarifying Disney did not approve the message.
Disney holds on to trademarks and modern copyrights associated with Steamboat Willie, despite its entry into the public domain. A Disney representative emphasized their commitment to protecting intellectual property from unauthorized use to prevent consumer confusion.
It's interesting to see the complexities around public domain and trademark protections. What are your thoughts on this situation and how Disney handles its iconic characters? Drop your opinions below!
The law firm initially sued Disney in September 2025, arguing that they should be able to use Steamboat Willie in their ads since its copyright expired in 2024. They sought a legal ruling to use the iconic cartoon character without fear of a lawsuit from Disney.
In dismissing the case, the firm left the door open to potentially file again in the future. They didn’t disclose the reason for dropping the suit or if an agreement was reached. Apparently, Disney's legal team was not willing to provide guidance to third parties, fueling the firm's initial legal action.
Morgan and Morgan created a black-and-white ad showing Mickey on a boat colliding with a car, where Minnie calls the firm for help. They included a disclaimer clarifying Disney did not approve the message.
Disney holds on to trademarks and modern copyrights associated with Steamboat Willie, despite its entry into the public domain. A Disney representative emphasized their commitment to protecting intellectual property from unauthorized use to prevent consumer confusion.
It's interesting to see the complexities around public domain and trademark protections. What are your thoughts on this situation and how Disney handles its iconic characters? Drop your opinions below!
