This iconic mouse is weeks away from being in the public domain
www.deseret.com
Jan. 1, 2024, is the day when ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters the public domain

This iconic mouse is weeks away fromn being in the public domain Jan. 1, 2024, is the day when ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters the public domain

  • ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.worldEnglish
    371·
    1 year ago

    The point of patents and copyrights is to promote and reward creative artists and inventors, not create a permanent revenue stream for corporations. Walt Disney died in 1966 and he, his investors, his heirs, and even their heirs have all been handsomely rewarded.

    Now let’s get Steamboat Mickey in Smash Bros.

    • SCB@lemmy.worldEnglish
      125·
      1 year ago

      Steamboat Mickey could be in Smash Bros if Nintendo wanted to license it, but IIRC Smash Bros is specifically only properties owned by Nintendo on purpose. Smash Bros is effectively free advertising for other Nintendo games, in addition to a fighter.

      I don’t see why Disney, rather than Walt himself, shouldnt own the copyright on Mickey Mouse.

      • 🔍🦘🛎@lemmy.worldEnglish
        121·
        1 year ago

        You do realize there’s a metric ton of non-Nintendo characters in Smash, right? It’s essentially a celebration of gaming as a whole. Mickey isn’t a video game character though, that’s why they used Sora. Same reason Goku and Superman aren’t in Smash.

          • 🔍🦘🛎@lemmy.worldEnglish
            6·
            1 year ago

            He’s been in games, but he’s definitely not a ‘video game character’ in the way that Mario, Sonic, and Cloud Strife are.

            • gedaliyah@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
              53·
              1 year ago

              Sorry it was just a joke. I didn’t think I needed a /j, but I should know better. Poe’s law.

              Edit: just gonna leave this here as proof of Mickey’s hardcore game roots…

              1000012285

      • TheGalacticVoid@lemm.eeEnglish
        41·
        1 year ago

        Smash Bros is supposed to be a celebration of the gaming industry, not just Nintendo. Minecraft Steve/Alex and Banjo/Kazooie are Microsoft properties. Joker is owned by SEGA, and Persona 5 wasn’t even on Switch until years after Joker was announced for Smash. Sephiroth and Cloud are Square Enix properties. Sora is a Disney property. There are way too many non-Nintendo characters in Smash for it to be “free advertising” for Nintendo.