Disney sued over public domain use of Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie ad
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Disney is facing a lawsuit from a US law firm, Morgan & Morgan, over the use of Mickey Mouse’s original Steamboat Willie appearance.
The case seeks clarity on whether companies can legally use the 1928 version of the character, which entered the public domain in 2024.
Morgan & Morgan had planned a national advertising campaign featuring Mickey. However, Disney’s legal team pushed back, leading the firm to file a case. It is now asking a court to rule that its commercial does not violate Disney’s rights.
In the advertisement, Mickey crashes a steamboat into Minnie’s car, prompting her to call the law firm. The ad includes a disclaimer that it is not linked to Disney. The company argues, however, that using the character for marketing goes beyond what public domain protections allow.
Disney has taken similar action before.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, it previously sued both Morgan & Morgan and jewellery brand Sateur. Sateur sold merchandise with the Steamboat Willie Mickey as though it were official Disney products. Customers complained that the accessories were of poor quality and misleadingly marketed.
Disney has also drawn a distinction between creative reinterpretations and commercial exploitation.
Parody projects like the horror film Screamboat, starring David Howard Thornton, were released without challenge. But Disney insists that trademarks remain in place, even though Steamboat Willie entered the public domain.
The company said the expiration of copyright does not allow competitors to violate its trademarks, which protect the brand. Disney added that it makes significant revenue from licensing Mickey Mouse for merchandise, including jewellery.
Mickey first appeared in 1928’s Steamboat Willie. The cartoon was initially given 56 years of copyright. As the protection neared expiration in 1984, Disney lobbied for an extension to 75 years. In 1998, a new law further extended copyrights for corporate works to 95 years. This delayed Steamboat Willie’s public domain entry until 2024.