Disney, which is under siege by Republican lawmakers, could immediately lose its copyright to Mickey Mouse if a law is passed to shorten the duration of the ownership.
Senator Josh Heulley (R-Mo.) on Tuesday proposed legislation that would restrict copyright protection to 56 years. In accordance with the Copyright Restoration Act 2022, the law will apply retroactively to existing copyrights.
The move comes after Florida lawmakers last month stripped Disney of its special self-government privileges, allowing it to independently control its vast swath of theme parks. The controversy arose when the company promised to revoke parents’ rights in education with a law that bans discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation in K-3 classes and allows parents to sue school districts if they believe it is wrong.
Disney has suspended political donations to Florida. After the company publicly opposed the legislation under pressure from employees, after initially keeping quiet, Governor Ron Desantis turned Disney front and center in a culture war in what he called “awakened corporations”.
Hawley, who uses the DeSantis playbook, said in a statement: “Thanks to Congressional special copyright protection, awakened corporations like Disney have made billions and are increasingly trying to wake up activists.”
The “special copyright protection” mentioned by Hül points to Disney’s important role in influencing the evolution of copyright law. Mickey Mouse was first released in 1928 Willie steam boat. At that time, the Disney character received 56 years of protection.
But when the copyright expired in 1984, Disney pushed for reform and secured passage of the Copyright Act of 1976. This allowed corporate works to be owned for 75 years. In 1998, Disney was again able to delay Mickey Mouse’s entry into the public domain with the passage of the Copyright Extension Act of 1998. The law continued to protect copyrights for 95 years from the original publication of the copyright. date. Disney’s copyright Willie steam boat Until 2024.
Several Republican lawmakers have said they will not support expanding Disney’s copyright protection if the bill is introduced. In a letter to CEO Bob Chapek, Jim Banks denounced the Parents’ Rights Education Act for “the company’s capitulation to far-left activists through hypocritical and sensationalist corporate actions”.
“Given Disney’s ongoing work with the Chinese communist regime, which does not respect US human rights or intellectual property, and given its desire to influence young children with material that is sexually inappropriate for their age, I do not support further copyright enhancements. In the public domain,” the letter reads.
But even Disney’s copyright Willie steam boat Expires, only the original Mickey Mouse design will reach the public domain. There have been several iterations of the character over the past century. For example, the copyright of the magician Mickey, who appeared in a 1940 movie fancy, The term ends in 2036.
Trademarks, which include words and symbols used to identify products, can also serve to protect Disney’s commercial interests by controlling the commercial use of its characters.
It is unlikely that Haul’s proposal will pass the Democratic majority in the Senate. Be that as it may, the appetite of Republican lawmakers, the attack on Disney to attract conservative voters, puts the company in an increasingly unbearable position, trying to play both sides.
So far, Disney is silent about the demolition of the Reed Creek Improvement District in Florida. He did not respond to a request for comment.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
