[Simple1234]

The thing that is not talked about enough, and not mentioned in the article, is the underlying reason. That reason, of course, is Mickey Mouse. Every time Mickey Mouse is about to fall into the public domain the Disney lobby has congress extend the copyright expiration.

[runn1ng]

I don't think Mickey Mouse itself is the main reason for Disney to lobby on prolongation of copyright.

If it was just Mickey, Disney would survive that somehow, but well, Hollywood started to be relevant in about 1920's, and Mickey was created in 1928, so it coincides very well.

[benologist]

Sonny Bono also played a part.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act

"also known as the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, Sonny Bono Act, or as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act"

[jasonwocky]

I swear, I would be willing to put up with continual copyright extensions solely for Mickey Mouse if it meant we could have the rest of our stuff.

[rtfeldman]

Indeed. Wikipedia has an interesting chart of the various extensions over time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act#Ba...

[shawabawa3]

I added a line showing the age of Mickey Mouse on that. Only the last 2 extensions can be blamed on him, but it looks like we can expect another one in about 5 years

http://i.imgur.com/jlDU2jE.png

[erikpukinskis]

The thing is, Mickey Mouse is also a trademark, which doesn't expire.

My understanding is that if Steamboat Willie passes out of copyright, people still won't be able to distribute it, or use Mickey in their own films, because it would violate trademark law.