A legal battle over the use of Steamboat Willie, Disney’s pioneering animated character, is unfolding in federal court.

Morgan & Morgan, Florida’s most prominent law firm, has initiated legal action seeking a judicial declaration that its intended use of the iconic character in an advertisement is legally protected against any trademark claims from Disney. On January 1, 2024, Steamboat Willie entered the public domain as Disney’s copyright protection lapsed.

The advertisement in question portrays Steamboat Willie getting into a boat accident with a car, prompting the driver to seek legal assistance from Morgan & Morgan. The filing indicates that prior to progressing with the ad, the law firm requested confirmation from Disney to ensure the commercial wouldn’t lead to legal repercussions. Disney, however, did not accommodate this request.

Following this interaction with Disney, the company swiftly initiated a lawsuit against a jewelry company over its use of Steamboat Willie imagery, showcasing Disney’s ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property rights despite the expiration of copyright.

To preempt any concerns, Morgan & Morgan’s ad incorporates clear visual and verbal disclaimers clarifying there is no association with Disney. The law firm argues this should eliminate any potential confusion regarding endorsement or affiliation.

The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, seeks a declaratory judgment affirming that Morgan & Morgan’s use of Steamboat Willie in their advertisement does not violate Disney’s trademark rights or other related intellectual property laws.

According to Morgan & Morgan, the lawsuit was necessary to secure a legal determination, as they feared possible trademark infringement litigation from Disney if they utilized “Steamboat Willie.”

News 6 has contacted Disney for comment.

What is public domain?

Public domain status means creative works become part of our shared cultural heritage, allowing anyone to freely use, adapt, or share them without permission or fees – similar to how we can freely use Shakespeare’s plays or Beethoven’s compositions today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report