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Disney's $180 Billion Empire Loses 95-Year Battle Over Mickey Mouse Copyright, Settles with Donald Trump Ahead of January 2024 Deadline

Dec 30, 2024, 12:16 PM

Disney's long-standing legal battle to protect the character Mickey Mouse culminated in a significant loss as of January 1, 2024. Over the past 95 years, the company invested heavily in legal efforts, including the creation of the 'Mickey Mouse Protection Act' and substantial expenditures on lawyers, to keep the character under copyright. This loss raises concerns about the implications for Disney-owned ABC, especially in light of recent settlements with Donald Trump, which some commentators believe could set a troubling precedent for smaller media outlets and independent journalists. Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin questioned the motives behind ABC's decision to settle, suggesting that the company, with its vast resources, should not have capitulated in this context.