Disney (be) Tripping

Recovering from spring break and thinking about where to go for fall? We have news for you - due to increased prices and new fees, Disney World may not be the play. From our previous blog posts, you know where to look for flights, and in this one you will learn that bitcoin wasn't the only thing with unstable value over the last 10 years.

As of 2019, the cost of tickets to Walt Disney World is up more than 3,000% from the prices of its opening in 1971. Something to keep in mind is that we have seen some inflation; within the same period of time it is about 548%. But wait, there's more! Disney has also seen an 894% increase since their introduction in 1982; annual passes are up at 1,313% from their introduction in 1985. That is, as of 2019. Prices of course, have followed the course of everything else nowadays and have increased along with our now roughly 8% inflation.

The upside? Mickey Mouse might be in the public domain in two years. That's right! If no one files to extend the copyright protection, then Mickey Mouse, aka the mouse seen in Steamboat Willie, will become available for public use on January 1, 2024. What does that mean for us? Mickey Mouse, as he appeared in Steamboat Willie can be used by anyone. Which means you can make your own merchandise using that imagery without getting sued or a cease-and-desist letter. Be warned though: you cannot label that merchandise as "Disney's Mickey Mouse," as that title is still protected by copyrights.

What is copyright law?  Essentially, copyright law is the law equivalent of "you can't copy my homework and get away with it" in a legal sense, at least in the United States. Copyright law grants a protection for "original works of authorship" to those who file for a copyright. Not to be confused with a patent which is a property right to a creator of a new invention, discovery, a process (physical), or a trademark which is a phrase, word, or design that identifies your company and/or its goods or services. These distinctions will be important to keep in mind for those who are planning to take advantage of using the image or likeness of Mickey Mouse if the character does become public domain in 2024.

In case anyone was curious, Disney has been in existence since October 16, 1923. It was founded by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. It officially became the Walt Disney Company in 1986. The mouse was originally named Mortimer and later renamed Mickey Mouse because Walt Disney's wife did not like the name Mortimer Mouse. Mickey first appeared in Disney's first sound film, Steamboat Willie which was released on November 18, 1928, and yes, it was a hit. From there, Disney became known for its animated films and eventually grew to be the massive media company we know today owning a variety of companies ranging from Pixar, Marvel, ABC, and even ESPN.