Animation : Mickey Mouse enters public domain by Kevin Jackson

I was thinking about writing a script about Steam Boat Willy Mickey Mouse, Kevin Jackson, but I couldn't come up with an idea. I saw trailers for a movie and a video game about Steam Boat Willy Mickey Mouse yesterday. The movie and game are already finished.

This is going to be very interesting...

And we already have multiple hack low budget horror movies and games announced because of it.

It will be interesting to see someone tries using the the classic Mickey in a project if Disney will sue based on Trademark protection and what the courts will say.

Isn’t it just the steamboat image not his whole character? His name was originally Mortimer Mouse

Andria Besancon, The Steamboat Willie short is in the public domain. So, anyone can redistribute it, use the footage for derivative work, and create new derivative work using the story, characters, etc. What will be tested is when people try to use Mickey's image and how it is drawn if Disney can claim Trademark protection since they used the Steamboat Willie image and retro Mickey images in recent identification for Walt Disney Animation Studios. If someone tries making merch with the original image, I feel the Disney hammers will be slamming down.

Bob Harper Wasn’t it Disney that extended the period of time for public domain?

Andria Besancon Yes, Disney for decades fought the fight to extend copyright protection. But, once they realized it wasn't going to get extended any longer, they trademarked the classic Mickey to see if that would hold up.

All these horror projects, but why no period pieces about a steamboat operator named Willie?

David Abrookin I couldn't help but post this. Unfortunately, horror is an easier sale.

David Abrookin Asking the right questions.