3 ms·
I think Disney can still sue for making something that closely resembles Mickey Mouse no? As in products that make it hard to differentiate between an official
by prox 3y ago
I think Disney can still sue for making something that closely resembles Mickey Mouse no? As in products that make it hard to differentiate between an official Disney product and a copy. As the article states, the trademark is still there.
- koolba 3y agoThe specifics matter … a lot. A fun use case for this new found freedom would be a Smash Bros style fighting game with out of copyright characters. Imagine classic steamboat Mickey fighting it out with classic Peter Pan.
- ceejayoz 3y agoBut they’re not out of trademark. This usage would still be an infringement.
- koolba 3y agoNot necessarily. The onus would be upon Disney to prove that the new work is in violation. “Everybody knows Mickey Mouse is Disney” is not a legal argument as that’d supersede the entire concept of copyright. Once the copyright expires, the original steamboat Mickey character and likeness can be used it all kinds of things. Violent video games, horror movies, a like of Mickey Mouse furry costumes, … you name it. As long as you stick to the original design (sorry, no white gloves!) and do not in any way label your product as “Disney”, it wouldn’t be in violation.