Overview

• The Orlando firm filed the declaratory-judgment case on Sept. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, also requesting an injunction barring Disney from suing over the ad.
• Morgan & Morgan’s proposed 37-second black‑and‑white commercial features a Steamboat Willie–style Mickey crashing into Minnie’s car and twice states Disney did not authorize the ad.
• The firm sent Disney a link to the ad on July 15, and Disney’s chief assistant counsel replied that the company does not provide legal advice to third parties.
• Although the 1928 short entered the public domain on Jan. 1, 2024, Disney maintains trademark rights in later Mickey iterations, setting up a dispute over potential consumer confusion.
• Morgan & Morgan cites Disney’s recent enforcement efforts, including a July lawsuit against a jewelry seller, and news outlets report Disney has not commented on the new suit.