Mickey Mouse’s first public appearance was in the 1928 black-and-white short film Steamboat Willie.
Next Monday, January 1st, the copyright on Walt Disney’s most famous creation will expire, and from then on the mischievous mouse will enter the public domain. Something like that. For now, only this rudimentary version of what will become the Mickey we know can be used.
The chubby little mouse with the cute eyes, red shorts and white gloves he turned into is still owned by Disney.
Additionally, Mickey Mouse is a registered trademark, meaning that “anyone using the classic image of Mickey at the helm of a boat on T-shirts, caps or mugs risks prosecution,” warns law professor Justin Hughes, as quoted by France Press. . It will be possible to recreate the character and story, but the consumer must be informed that this is not the creation of the original author. “Legal battles are expected,” says Hughes.
Author: Ana Maria Ribeiro
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.