Last Days of Disney's Rights onMickey Mouse: Isn't the Term ofCopyright Too Long?

• Date: 01 June 2023

June 27, 2023FEATURE

Last Days of Disney’s Rights on

Mickey Mouse: Isn’t the Term of

Copyright Too Long?

Pratap Devarapalli

Share:



©2023. Published in Landslide, Vol. 15, No. 4, June/July 2023, by the American

Bar Association. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. This

information or any portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any

form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system

without the express written consent of the American Bar Association or the

copyright holder.

Extension of the copyright term has been a point of contention in recent years,

with some arguing that it will have a negative impact on future creativity and

innovation. This is particularly evident in the case of Mickey Mouse, whose

copyright term has been repeatedly extended, giving Disney a permanent

monopoly and restricting the ability of subsequent creators to build upon or

use the character. While copyright protection is crucial for ensuring that

creators are acknowledged and compensated for their intellectual and artistic

contributions, it is also necessary to create a balance between their interests

and those of the public and future creators.

As Disney’s Mickey Mouse’s copyright term will expire at the end of 2023 in the

United States, this article sheds light on the reasons behind long-term

copyright protection and whether they are in the public’s interest. In addition,

it examines arguments for and against the present term of copyright

protection. Finally, it recommends shortening the term of copyright protection.