Morgan & Morgan suing Disney for Steamboat Willie usage in its commercial.

[hardcorestitch]

Does anyone think this usage of Steamboat Willie is defamation? The nationally known law firm Morgan & Morgan is trying to use this cartoon as part of its ad campaign. Note that Steamboat Willie is now PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

[WEDWDW]

On a side note,if you are not aware of John Morgan's history with Walt Disney World,it is worth reading about.

Long story short,John Morgan's brother Tim was paralyzed while working as a lifeguard at the Polynesian.

John Morgan was appalled at Disney and their response and that experience led him to make PI law his life's work.

 

[Deb]

Does anyone think this usage of Steamboat Willie is defamation? The nationally known law firm Morgan & Morgan is trying to use this cartoon as part of its ad campaign. Note that Steamboat Willie is now PUBLIC DOMAIN.

well, it shows Mickey as an inattentive driver/boater. So they may have a point

 

[sam_gordon]

I think it's going to be hard to prove defamation against a fictional character.

ETA: Plus, how many actual WDW cartoons are there where Mickey breaks something? The accident was caused by inattentiveness, not speeding and not DUI.

I don't think WDW has a shot in this case.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I expect he's been waiting a long time for that to become public domain. And the commercial clearly states, twice, that it was not made by Disney. I think the ad will be allowed to stand.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Is Mickey Morgan or is Morgan Mickey ?

 

[WEDWDW]

I expect he's been waiting a long time for that to become public domain. And the commercial clearly states, twice, that it was not made by Disney. I think the ad will be allowed to stand.

Given John Morgan's history with WDW I think you are right.

I think the commercial and Disney's response could all be "backgrounded" in what happened years ago.