If you reach out to Disney to see if it will object to your use of Steamboat Willie, you might get an unsatisfactory answer that includes reference to Disney’s claim to hold certain trademark rights. This happened to Morgan Global, who planned to broadcast an ad incorporating an adaption of the 1928 animated short film Steamboat Willie, the copyright to which has expired. Therefore, Morgan sued for declaratory judgement of noninfringement of Disney’s trademarks, and related claims, arising out of the planned use of the adaption of Steamboat Willie.
Even when a copyright is expired, this case illustrates that trademark rights may cast a shadow over use of copyright expired material.
Case: Morgan Global, PLLC v. Disney Enterprises, Inc., No. 6:25-cv-01795 (M.D. Fl. 2025)