The company tacitly acknowledges that 'Steamboat Willie' is in the public domain.

• Disney retracts copyright claim on a YouTuber’s “Steamboat Willie” video, allowing it to be monetizable and shareable worldwide.

• The claim had previously demonetized the video and restricted its visibility and embedding options.

• This move by Disney may signal its recognition of “Steamboat Willie” being in the public domain.

  • GestridEnglish
    371·
    1 year ago

    I’m honestly pretty shocked they even let it go public domain at all.

    • ShepherdPie@midwest.socialEnglish
      181·
      1 year ago

      They’ve already had the rules changed to extend their copyright multiple times. I think they ran out of excuses at this point like your coworker who’s missed work due to their grandma dying for the fourth time this year.

      • TheMurphy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        61·
        1 year ago

        Also because the Congress that approved the extension were majority of Republicans both at senate and house.

        Who would have guessed they would favor the multi billion corp rather than the public.

    • SheeEttin@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      1 year ago

      Yeah. Usually they just buy some congresspeople and get it extended. I guess that didn’t fly with the current Republicans. Maybe because Disney has the woke, or something.