Disney has been sued for enforcing intellectual property rights on the Mickey Mouse from the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie . This depiction of Mickey Mouse, which was the first animated short to feature both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, entered the public domain in 2024 , meaning that others could use that version of the character without the express permission of Disney.

However, personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan has filed a lawsuit against Disney , saying the Disney legal team offered resistance to a planned nationwide advertising campaign that featured both Minnie and Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie . Morgan & Morgan is seeking a court order verifying that their commercial does not violate Disney's rights to the character.

In the ad, we see the animated short's

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