Law firm Morgan & Morgan wants to use the first iteration of Mickey Mouse, Steamboat Willie, in their advertising. In a “preemptive strike,” they have filed a lawsuit against Disney to ensure the House of Mouse doesn’t come after them for copyright infringement. The suit was filed in the U.S. Middle District Court in Orlando, Florida, on September 17, 2025.
This move came after the firm reached out to Disney to clarify whether they could use Steamboat Willie. Disney’s response was short and dismissive: “We don’t give legal advice to third parties.” With that, Morgan & Morgan is now seeking a court ruling that this particular version of Mickey does not infringe on Disney’s intellectual property rights.
Mickey Mouse’s Steamboat Willie: Disney’s Domain or “For the People”?
Anyone familiar with Morgan & Morgan knows their famous marketing catchphrase: “For the People.” Ironically, that’s exactly what the firm is arguing Steamboat Willie has become — for the people.
John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan appears in an ad for the firm – YouTube, Morgan & Morgan
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While Disney still owns copyrights to later versions of Mickey Mouse, the Steamboat Willie version of the character first appeared in 1928. Disney fought tooth and nail to extend its control over the work, lobbying Congress for decades. Copyright terms were extended in 1976 and again in 1998 with the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, which is why Disney managed to keep the short under its control for nearly a century.
But on January 1, 2024, Steamboat Willie officially entered the public domain.
Disney Doesn’t Play
Disney has already shown it will aggressively protect Mickey Mouse through trademark law, even after the copyright expired.
Earlier this year, Disney filed a lawsuit against jewelry company Satéur, which had released a “Mickey 1928 Collection.” Disney argued that Satéur’s use of the Steamboat Willie character and branding was deliberately designed to confuse consumers into believing the products were officially licensed.
Pete the Cat admonishes Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie – YouTube, Did You Catch This?
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With that case in mind, Morgan & Morgan sought clarification directly from Disney before launching their own campaign. But Disney’s refusal to answer left the firm with two options: either risk a lawsuit later or take the battle to court now. They chose the latter.
The Outcome: What Will It Mean?
The outcome of Morgan & Morgan v. Disney could reshape how public domain works are used in modern commerce.
Specifically, it may help clarify:
- The boundary between public domain freedoms and trademark protections
- Whether companies can use early versions of iconic characters without fear of legal retaliation
- How intellectual property law will adapt to a digital world of memes, content creators, and viral marketing
Mickey Mouse whistles while driving the steamboat in Steamboat Willie – YouTube, Did You Catch This?
The case’s impact could ripple across industries — from movies, books, and merchandise to YouTube creators and TikTok influencers. For now, the question remains: is the Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse still Disney’s prized possession? Or is he, as Morgan & Morgan argues, finally “for the people?”
How do you feel about Morgan & Morgan suing Disney over Mickey Mouse? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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