patrick.net

Morgan & Morgan, Florida's largest law firm, sued Disney on September 17, 2025, seeking court approval to use Steamboat Willie in its ads.
The lawsuit followed Disney's refusal to clarify if it would sue Morgan & Morgan for trademark infringement despite Steamboat Willie's copyright expiring on January 1, 2024.
The firm's proposed black-and-white commercial depicts Mickey steering a boat while on dry ground, which results in a collision with Minnie's car, leading her to call Morgan & Morgan for legal assistance.
John Morgan condemned Disney's ambiguous stance, arguing that it is unreasonable for the company to claim ownership of the copyright and stating his willingness to pursue the case up to the Supreme Court if needed.
The case aims to confirm that Morgan & Morgan's ad use of Steamboat Willie does not infringe Disney's rights, potentially setting precedent for public domain character usage.

Shortly after Kimmel’s suspension was announced, Disney stock dipped about 3.5%. It continued to trade lower in subsequent days. The loss in market value has amounted to about $4bn.