To be honest, though, the trademark on Mickey Mouse would have expired (multiple times over), except that Congress keeps on extending the trademark period every time Mickey comes close to being in the public domain.
They (congress) have recently been challenged in the courts about what amounts to a "perpertual" trademark, and sooner or later, Congress will balk at Disney's request, and Mickey will be public domain. It's already been over 100 years, let the trademark expire already.
While the law is the law, it's being abused (or pushed beyond its intended purpose) by Congress at the behest of Disney, I think.
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To be honest, though, the trademark on Mickey Mouse would have expired (multiple times over), except that Congress keeps on extending the trademark period every time Mickey comes close to being in the public domain.
They (congress) have recently been challenged in the courts about what amounts to a "perpertual" trademark, and sooner or later, Congress will balk at Disney's request, and Mickey will be public domain. It's already been over 100 years, let the trademark expire already.
While the law is the law, it's being abused (or pushed beyond its intended purpose) by Congress at the behest of Disney, I think.