Australian Beer Ad Riles Disney......

[kevrab]

They were talking about this on the Today Show this morning. I can see why Disney might be just a little upset.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6341373/Ho-White-and-the-Seven-Dwarves-beer-advert-angers-Disney.html

[FireDancer]

There was a thread about this a couple of days ago. I could see why Disney doesn't like it but since the fairy tale is old enough to be public domain I don't think they have a legal stand. I am even less knowledgeable of Australian copyright law than U.S. but in the U.S. parody is covered as an aspect of fair use.

[bleeps]

Disney doesn't own the story, but what they DO own is their visual depiction of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs -- so their objection is that this ad is based very clearly and specifically on the Disney representation of these characters.

[lindsey clare]

fair enough i reckon. it's really quite hideous. but for what it's worth, i didn't see this advertisement anywhere, so i think its shelf life was pretty short!

[doconeill]

Although the image itself could be considered a parody, and as such is protected under the fair use doctrine, its use as a an element of a commercial enterprise may not be so protected. Of course, this depends on the laws in Australia.