It also mostly doesn't work, and even if it does work it's terribly expensive and time consuming enough to scare people off. Go on, make a derivative of Mickey

It also mostly doesn't work, and even if it does work it's terribly expensive and time consuming enough to scare people off. Go on, make a derivative of Mickey Mouse and sell it. See how it goes. Similar enough to be "compatible" (whatever that would mean in the animated cartoon space) but distinct enough not to run afoul of Disney lawyers. Then come back and tell us.