Reference no: EM133230333

You have just been hired by a new startup company called Public Domain Animation, Inc.  The new company was formed to make animated films and will specialize in taking public domain works (those not protected under Copyright) and repackaging them for a quick profit.  

The big plan is to be ready for the famous cartoon character Mickey Mouse to enter the public domain.  Although this will not happen until 2023, the President of the company wants to get an early start to beat the competition and has already tasked you with developing a plan of action on how best to use Mickey Mouse for the day when Disney's copyright expires.  

Mickey Mouse is a comic animal cartoon character who has become an icon for The Walt Disney Company. Mickey Mouse was created in 1928 by Walt Disney. The Walt Disney Company celebrates his birth as November 18, 1928 upon the release of Steamboat Willie. Although Mickey had already appeared six months earlier in Plane Crazy (Steamboat Willie being the first Mickey Mouse Cartoon with sound). The anthropomorphic mouse has evolved from being simply a character in animated cartoons and comic strips to become one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Mickey is currently the main character in the Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney series "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." 

• Issue 1) What dangers (both legal and financial) can you think of that come with pursuing this business strategy?
• Issue 2) What, if anything, do you think Disney (the owner of the Mickey Mouse IP) might try to do to stop you?