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Copyrightlaw

All articles tagged with #copyrightlaw

entertainment-law2 years ago•6 min saved

"Disney's Legal Strategies as More Characters Join Mickey in Public Domain"

As iconic characters like Mickey Mouse's "Steamboat Willie" iteration enter the public domain, companies like Disney face new challenges and opportunities. While the public can now legally use these characters, Disney's trademarks still protect many aspects of their intellectual property. The success of films like "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey" demonstrates the potential for monetizing public domain characters, but experts warn that using elements too close to trademarked versions could lead to legal trouble. Disney and other companies are expected to rely on trademark law to protect their interests while also focusing on creating new intellectual property to sustain growth.

via Fox Business|

##copyrightlaw #disney

entertainment2 years ago•4 min saved

"Mickey Mouse's Public Domain Status Sparks Horror Film Trailer Featuring 'Steamboat Willie'"

On the same day that "Steamboat Willie" entered the public domain, a horror movie trailer titled "Mickey’s Mouse Trap" was released, featuring a murderous version of Mickey Mouse. The film, directed by Jamie Bailey and written by Simon Phillips, who also stars as the villain, draws inspiration from other horror franchises and capitalizes on the newly public domain character. This follows a trend of turning classic children's characters into horror villains, as seen with "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey."

via HuffPost|

##copyrightlaw #entertainment

entertainment2 years ago•4 min saved

"Public Domain Sparks Horror: Mickey Mouse Reimagined in Controversial Films Amidst Industry Shake-Up"

Rhys Frake-Waterfield, director of "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey," has avoided creating a project based on Steamboat Willie, which recently entered the public domain, due to potential legal complications with Disney's trademarks. While other filmmakers rush to capitalize on the public domain status with horror adaptations, Frake-Waterfield warns of the legal nuances and risks involved. He emphasizes the importance of quality and originality in his own projects, which include a horror twist on Peter Pan, and advises caution to others using newly public domain characters to avoid costly legal battles with Disney.

via IndieWire|

##copyrightlaw #disney

technology-and-entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Steamboat Willie's Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain, Inspires AI-Driven Horror Film"

Early Mickey Mouse cartoons from 1928 have entered the public domain, prompting AI enthusiasts to create a new image generator model that can produce images based on these cartoons. The model, available on Hugging Face, was trained on stills from "Steamboat Willie," "Plane Crazy," and "The Gallopin' Gaucho." While the AI-generated images are not perfect and the legality of using copyrighted training data remains unresolved, the move has sparked a wave of creative and potentially controversial uses of the iconic character's image. This development also raises questions about the legal nuances of AI-generated content and the implications of trademark laws on the use of the Mickey Mouse name.

via Ars Technica|

##ai #copyrightlaw

entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Mickey Mouse Turns Slasher in New Horror Trailer as 'Steamboat Willie' Hits Public Domain"

A new horror comedy film titled "Mickey's Mouse Trap" has released its trailer, featuring a sinister Mickey Mouse as a serial killer, coinciding with the original "Steamboat Willie" cartoon entering the public domain on January 1, 2024. The film, which stars Sophie McIntosh and others, plays on the now-public domain character from the 1928 Disney short, which was known for its synchronized sound and marked Mickey Mouse's first appearance. Disney's efforts to extend copyright protection, including the "Mickey Mouse Protection Act," have delayed this moment, but could not prevent it indefinitely. The film's release date is aiming for March, and it represents a new, darker interpretation of the iconic character.

via New York Post |

##copyrightlaw #entertainment

entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Mickey's Nightmare: Horror Takes Over as Iconic Mouse Enters Public Domain"

Mickey Mouse from the Steamboat Willie era has entered the public domain, leading to the creation of derivative horror works like the game Infestation 88 and the movie Mickey's Mouse Trap. Despite the expiration of the copyright, Disney's modern versions of Mickey remain protected, and any new works must avoid infringing on Disney's trademarks. Infestation 88 has faced scrutiny over its title's unintended connotations, prompting the developers to consider a name change. As the public domain opens up, more unique and potentially controversial interpretations of the classic character are expected to emerge.

via Kotaku|

##copyrightlaw #disney

entertainment-and-legal2 years ago•3 min saved

"Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain, Inspiring New Horror Game and Other Classic Character Changes"

Disney's iconic 1928 short film "Steamboat Willie," which marked the first appearance of Mickey Mouse, has entered the public domain as of New Year’s Day. While this early version of Mickey is now available for public use, Disney maintains copyright and trademark protections on more modern iterations of the character. The company has emphasized its commitment to protecting its rights and preventing consumer confusion regarding unauthorized uses of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. Despite the shift to the public domain, Disney's Mickey Mouse continues to serve as the company's global ambassador and corporate mascot.

via Fox Business|

##copyrightlaw #disney

entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Mickey Mouse and Classic Characters Set Sail into Public Domain in 2024"

As of January 1, 2024, the earliest versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as depicted in "Steamboat Willie" and "Plane Crazy," have entered the U.S. public domain, allowing the public to freely use these specific portrayals. This follows the expiration of copyrights for works from 1928, which was delayed by the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act. Other notable characters and works such as Tigger, "Peter Pan," and "The Mystery of the Blue Train" by Agatha Christie have also become public property. The public domain enables creative reinterpretations and uses of these works without the need for permission or payment of fees.

via CBS News|

##copyrightlaw #creativeworks

intellectual-property-entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain, Altering the Fate of Classic Characters"

Mickey Mouse, along with other notable works, has entered the public domain in the US as of January 1st, 2024. This includes the original versions from Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy. While there are still complexities due to Disney's trademark and later design changes, this move allows for new creative uses of the character and other works from 1923 and 1928 that are now free to use. The Duke Law School’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain has highlighted this milestone, which also includes other significant works like D.H. Lawrence’s "Lady Chatterley’s Lover" and Virginia Woolf’s "Orlando." Despite the complexities, this shift is celebrated by public domain advocates and opens up opportunities for creative reinterpretations and preservations.

via The Verge|

##copyrightlaw #creativecommons

entertainment-legal2 years ago•5 min saved

"Mickey Mouse to Join Public Domain, Altering Future of Classic Icons"

Mickey Mouse's earliest versions from the 1928 films "Steamboat Willie" and "Plane Crazy" have entered the public domain, allowing the public to use and adapt these specific portrayals of the character. However, later versions of Mickey Mouse, which most people recognize, remain protected by copyright. Disney has fought to extend copyright laws in the past, but the entry of these early versions into the public domain is seen as significant for creative freedom. Disney will continue to protect its rights in the modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works still under copyright. Experts advise creators to respect the boundaries of copyright and trademark laws when using the now-public domain versions of Mickey Mouse.

via The Washington Post|

##copyrightlaw #disney

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Mickey Mouse Joins Public Domain Icons in 2024"

The original version of Mickey Mouse from the 1928 short film "Steamboat Willie" has entered the public domain as of January 1, 2024, due to U.S. copyright law which allows copyrights to be held for 95 years. This means that the early depiction of the character can now be used freely, although modern versions of Mickey Mouse, which include trademarked elements like his gloves and oversized shoes, remain protected by Disney. Legal experts warn that while the public can reimagine Steamboat Willie, any creation that closely resembles the modern Mickey could lead to litigation from Disney. This shift may lead to new interpretations and uses of the character, similar to recent public domain transitions of other iconic characters like Winnie the Pooh.

via CNN|

##copyrightlaw #disney

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Mickey Mouse to Join Public Domain in Historic Copyright Shift on January 1, 2024"

Disney's copyright for the 1928 "Steamboat Willie" version of Mickey Mouse is set to expire on January 1, 2024, allowing this early iteration of the character to enter the public domain. While this opens the door for new creative uses of this specific version of Mickey, Disney's trademarks on the modern Mickey Mouse will remain intact, protecting the character's use in advertising and branding. The company has stated its commitment to protecting its rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other characters that are still under copyright.

via CNN|

##copyrightlaw #disney

legal-intellectual-property2 years ago•4 min saved

The copyright for Mickey Mouse as depicted in the 1928 animation "Steamboat Willie" has expired, allowing the character to enter the public domain. This development permits the use, adaptation, and sharing of this early version of Mickey Mouse, but Disney retains copyright and trademark protections for later, more recognizable versions of the character, such as those from "Fantasia." Legal experts anticipate potential legal battles as Disney aims to prevent consumer confusion and protect its trademarks, while others argue for the freedoms granted by the public domain. The situation is expected to lead to court cases that will clarify the extent of legal rights and usage of the iconic character.

via Tech Xplore|