Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, submitted legislation on Tuesday that would limit the popular cartoon rodent’s copyright protection to 56 years.
Hawley’s proposed legislation comes just weeks after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis passed a bill into law stripping Disney of its autonomous, self-governing authority over its Orlando theme parks and resorts.
After Disney spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education Law, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by detractors, DeSantis signed the bill. Children under the age of four are not allowed to receive gender identity or sexual orientation education.
The Copyright Clause Restoration Act, sponsored by Hawley, would apply retrospectively to Disney’s copyright to Mickey Mouse’s original design, which was first introduced over a century ago in the 1928 release of the 8-minute animated feature “Steamboat Willie.”
If the bill becomes law, Disney will lose rights to Mickey Mouse, who first appeared in the 1928 animated feature “Steamboat Willie.”
Disney’s copyright on Mickey Mouse was protected for 56 years when “Steamboat Willie” was launched.
When the copyright was set to expire in 1984, Disney successfully lobbied Congress to approve the Copyright Act of 1976, which extended protections for another 75 years.
Disney sought for a copyright extension again in 1998, and the federal government agreed, granting company ownership for 95 years.
Even if Mickey Mouse from “Steamboat Willie” enters the public domain, Disney retains the copyright to other versions of the character, such as “Fantasiasorcerer “‘s Mickey.
Hawley stated in a statement that “the era of Republican handouts to Big Business is over.” “Thanks to special copyright protections from Congress, woke corporations such as Disney have earned billions while pandering to woke activists in increasing numbers.”
The most recent copyright reform is set to expire in 2024, and leading Republicans have stated that they will not support another extension of copyright protections.
Even if Mickey Mouse from “Steamboat Willie” enters the public domain, Disney retains the copyright to other versions of the character, such as “Fantasiasorcerer “‘s Mickey.
Hawley stated in a statement that “the era of Republican handouts to Big Business is over.” “Thanks to special copyright protections from Congress, woke corporations such as Disney have earned billions while pandering to woke activists in increasing numbers.”
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