Morgan and Morgan Sues Disney to Use "Steamboat Willy" in Their Commercials

Seems like a PR stunt to me after reading this and clicking the link to view the ad:

https://docsend.com/view/q9x3bdin5vy9cst8

Even with the voiceover, it sure "feels" to me as a consumer like Minnie is endorsing calling #LAW ... which goes beyond fair use, in my estimation.

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mwkaufma 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Fair use? Steamboat Willie is public domain.

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leakycap 5 hours ago | parent [-]

But Minnie is not, and the way the ad is used (see link to video) goes beyond simply using the ad.

If it was clearly legal and clear-cut, why would a law firm be suing for clarification?

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mwkaufma 4 hours ago | parent [-]

A version of Minnie is in Steamboat Willy...?

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leakycap 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Correct. I don't believe she had a cellphone in Steamboat Willy where she called the law firm being advertised here, hence the legal question.

Can I use "Steamboat Willy" to have Mickey/Minnie from that era act as my spokesperson? I doubt it.

If these lawyers felt they had obvious legal rights here, do you think they'd be asking for clarification?

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mwkaufma 3 hours ago | parent [-]

It's public domain.

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leakycap 2 hours ago | parent [-]

You seem to be the only person in this conversation that doesn't see the question - the lawyers suing certainly see the legal question, which you keep ignoring.

Perhaps it is worth asking yourself why something seems to clear to you but is going before a judge as part of a legal question. Perhaps you have a partial understanding of the law? Perhaps you didn't click the link to view the video in question?

I'm not sure if your 3 word response is intended to show your interest in the conversation or your current level of knowledge on the subject -- either way, a little introspection on why smart people with law degrees see a question but you don't might be worthwhile before continuing.

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cool_dude85 an hour ago | parent [-]

I think Morgan and Morgan's concern is likely to be Disney's history of litigiousness. Why wait til after the ad airs to get a judgment?

	▲	leakycap an hour ago \| parent [-]
		We don't have to conjecture about that, the linked article clearly states "The firm said it had filed the lawsuit based on Disney's 'history of aggressive enforcement of intellectual property rights,' including a trademark lawsuit the media giant filed against another company on July 16 over jewelry depicting 'Steamboat Willie' characters"