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.

 

[irlandaise]

I don't understand your headline, "Morgan & Morgan suing Disney for Steamboat Willie usage in its commercial." Your video has two instances of a commercial but no information about a lawsuit. And why would a legal firm be suing the company that had the copyright on the character in the first place?

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't understand your headline, "Morgan & Morgan suing Disney for Steamboat Willie usage in its commercial." Your video has two instances of a commercial but no information about a lawsuit. And why would a legal firm be suing the company that had the copyright on the character in the first place?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/b...rights-mickey-mouse-public-domain-1236378997/

Steamboat Willie is now in public domain.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Is Mickey Morgan or is Morgan Mickey ?

Neither. Minnie is calling Morgan & Morgan after Mickey's boat hits her car.

 

[lanejudy]

My understanding of the situation is that Morgan & Morgan has asked Disney to essentially approve the use of the characters in the commercial. They aren't actually "suing."

 

[sam_gordon]

My understanding of the situation is that Morgan & Morgan has asked Disney to essentially approve the use of the characters in the commercial. They aren't actually "suing."

From the link I posted earlier...

Morgan & Morgan filed the lawsuit in Florida federal court last week after Disney declined to clarify whether it would initiate legal action over its ad.

I think M&M originally asked Disney what it would do, and when Disney wouldn't answer, they filed suit.

 

[lanejudy]

I think M&M originally asked Disney what it would do, and when Disney wouldn't answer, they filed suit.

Yes, thanks. M&M hadn't yet filed suit when I first heard about it last week.

 

[irlandaise]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/b...rights-mickey-mouse-public-domain-1236378997/

Ah, thanks. The OP didn't mention that background information. Although "Personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan intended to push a nationwide advertising campaign featuring the character but was met with resistance by Disney’s legal team" is awfully vague. Did M&M reach out to Disney before releasing the ad and Disney said, "We'd prefer that you not do that?" There's still some missing background here.

Steamboat Willie is now in public domain.

I know. That's why I said that Disney "had the copyright," past tense. That's why I didn't understand why a company would be suing Disney now when that old version of Mickey Mouse is in the public domain. Looks like Disney is trying different angles to protect Steamboat Willie.