Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

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Matt discusses the "Steamboat Willie" cartoon and the original design for Mickey Mouse and how its release in the public domain works in practice. Also, relating to that discussion is a history of the copyright and trademark battle between DC Comics and Fawcett Comics during the 1940s and 1950s, and how it led to Marvel Comics getting the trademark for Captain Marvel in the 1960s! Additionally, the public domain status of the 1940s Superman cartoon is examined, too, as it relates to the Mickey Mouse ownership issues.

#mickeymouse #publicdomain #superman #captainmarvel #maxfleischer #cartoons #trademark