Mickey Mouse Raises Question: What Is the Difference Between Copyright and Trademark? It’s a ‘Gray’ Area, Expert Says

“There are types of uses of Mickey that are now very clearly allowed under copyright law now that “Steamboat Willie” is in the public domain,” Professor Alexandra Roberts tells Northeastern Global News. “There are other types of uses that are going to be a little gray, both because the character of Mickey presents some novel challenges under copyright, and because of Disney’s extensive use of Mickey as a trademark.”