This iconic mouse is weeks away from being in the public domain
www.deseret.com
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

  • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.worldEnglish
    873·
    11 months ago

    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.

        • galloog1@lemmy.worldEnglish
          32·
          11 months ago

          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.

      • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.worldEnglish
        52·
        11 months ago

        I refuse to believe they are not bribing judges and lawmakers. Its not possible that Disney is doing this without doing anything illegal.

        • osarusan@kbin.social
          41·
          11 months ago

          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.

    • Calavera@lemm.eeEnglish
      22·
      11 months ago

      Even if they wanted, there is not much time left to change anything at this point

          • Infiltrated_ad8271@kbin.social
            21·
            11 months ago

            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.

            • arthurpizza@lemmy.worldEnglish
              5·
              11 months ago

              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.

      • NollijEnglish
        6·
        11 months ago

        Even less so for the version in Steamboat Willy, which is all that would be released. Modern Mickey is not being released anytime soon.