Legal Eagle on Mickey Mouse entering the public domain

Legal Eagle offers a clear history of and an analysis of what will happen next with Mickey Mouse's trademark.

The breakdown around what you can and can not use is kinda illuminating. Which parts of Mickey are public and how people can use them seem confusing enough that Disney's lawyers will probably be discouragement enough for most creative folk. Make something interesting enough to get attention, and earn a Cease and Desist just like before.

Steamboat Willie is gonna be a lot of attention.