The worldwide famous animated character “Mickey Mouse” gave Disney its audience, reach and everything is going to slip away from Disney?
If we believe the copyright law of the United States, it is true that Disney might lose all the rights of Mickey Mouse and some other famous characters. According to Daniel Mayeda who’s the associate director at UCLA Law School, the expiration of copyright won’t come without any limitations.
He stated, “You can use the Mickey Mouse character as it was originally created to create your own Mickey Mouse stories or stories with this character. But if you do so in a way that people will think of Disney – which is kind of likely because they have been investing in this character for so long – then, in theory, Disney could say you violated my copyright.”
Mickey Mouse appeared in Steamboat Willie for the first time as a Black and White cartoon character. We can say that this cartoon was the frontiersperson of the whole American animation industry. It was one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound and rhythmic movements. Mickey Mouse character is a worldwide phenomenon that inspired and created a big animation industry.
As per the American History National Museum, “Over the years, Mickey Mouse has gone through several transformations to his physical appearance and personality. In his early years, the impish and mischievous Mickey looked more rat-like, with a long pointy nose, black eyes, a smallish body with spindly legs, and a long tail.”
Since Mickey Mouse is known as a Disney property, the rules will be violated if Disney uses this character anymore after the contract expires in 2024. Daniel Mayeda added, “Trademarks are not. So Disney could have a trademark essentially in perpetuity, as long as they keep using various things as they’re trademarked, whether they’re words, phrases, characters or whatever.”
Let’s just hope we do not lose Mickey Mouse as an audience and continue to watch this amazing character with Minnie, Donald The Duck, and many nostalgic characters. I believe Disney will come up with a solution for sure.