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yesterday

Morgan & Morgan Sues Disney Seeking Court OK to Use 'Steamboat Willie' in Ads

The Orlando filing tests whether public‑domain imagery can appear in a commercial without infringing Disney’s trademarks.

Mickey Mouse
FILE - Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse, poses at the Pancoast Hotel in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 13, 1941. (AP Photo, File)
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Overview

  • The personal injury firm filed a declaratory‑judgment complaint on Sept. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
  • The suit asks a judge to confirm its planned black‑and‑white ad is lawful and to bar Disney from bringing trademark or other intellectual property claims.
  • Morgan & Morgan argues the 1928 Steamboat Willie entered the public domain on Jan. 1, 2024, and says the ad includes a voiceover disclaimer that Disney did not approve it.
  • The firm shared the spot with Disney in July, and company counsel Gloria Shaw replied that Disney does not provide legal advice to third parties.
  • Citing Disney’s enforcement history, including a July lawsuit over Steamboat Willie‑inspired jewelry, the firm says it intends to air the ad nationwide; Disney did not immediately comment.