A major personal injury law firm, Morgan & Morgan, has taken Disney to court in central Florida over the use of the iconic 1928 animated short film "Steamboat Willie." The firm, famous for its catchphrase "For the people," filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, seeking permission to use images from the film in its advertisements.
"Steamboat Willie" is well known as the first public appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Morgan & Morgan argues that the U.S. copyright for the film expired last year. Before filing the lawsuit, the firm reached out to Disney to ensure that using the images wouldn’t lead to a legal battle. According to Morgan & Morgan, Disney’s lawyers refused to provide any legal advice on the matter.
Fearing a trademark infringement lawsuit if they used the images without Disney’s blessing, Morgan & Morgan wants the court to clarify its rights. The firm plans to air a black-and-white commercial featuring Mickey Mouse steering a boat on land that crashes into a car driven by Minnie Mouse. The ad includes a voiceover stating that Disney did not approve or authorize the commercial.
A Disney representative was not available for comment as of Wednesday evening. This case shines a light on ongoing questions about how old copyrights and trademark rights apply to classic characters in modern contexts. Morgan & Morgan, with its reputation for aggressive advertising, is now challenging one of the biggest entertainment companies in the U.S. for the right to use a piece of animation history in its ads.