Trademark only protects against trademark confusion. Meaning it only protects the owner's right to use the trademark as a unique identifier with respect to cert

Trademark only protects against trademark confusion. Meaning it only protects the owner's right to use the trademark as a unique identifier with respect to certain services and goods. I believe Disney uses Mickey for a trademark so that character may be protected to some extent. Other characters not so much. And in any case, they're only protected to the extent that Disney is the only company that can use them as unique identifiers for goods and services.