Disney won’t kick out Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse One of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time. Created by Walt Disney and his animators Ub Iwerks in 1928, Mickey Mouse has served as the mascot of Walt Disney and his company for many years.

viral TikTok video Posted on February 9, Disney claimed it plans to remove Mickey Mouse from its mascot and replace it with one. figurementa purple dragon often considered an unofficial mascot Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney WorldThe video also claimed Mickey Mouse was removed because the character’s copyright protection was set to expire in 2024. Others on social media shared similar claims.

VERIFY Viewer Christine Ask our team on Instagram If these claims are true.

Will Disney remove Mickey Mouse as its official mascot?

No, Disney will not remove Mickey Mouse as its official mascot.

The Walt Disney Company will not remove Mickey Mouse as its official mascot in 2024. This claim was originally posted by mousebird newsa satirical website that regularly publishes fake stories about Disney blog and socializing media page.

On February 10, Mouse Trap News reported article The Walt Disney Company claimed it had plans to remove Mickey Mouse as a mascot and replace him with a figurine in 2024, citing legal issues with copyright protection for the Mickey Mouse character. In the last paragraph of the post, Mouse Trap News called the article “completely made-up”.

Mousetori News” tick tock, Instagram, Facebook and twitter The page makes it clear that all information it shares is satire. Each social media account states “100% fake real Disney news” in the intro or bio section.

Mousetori News” About the section Its website also says:

“Mouse Trap News is the world’s best satirical site. We write fake stories about Disney parks. From Disney park announcements, to Disney hotel and resort news, to Disney’s fictional partnerships, read here. You can be sure it’s not true, true, or accurate, but it’s fun.Technically speaking, the Disney News slogan The Moused Trusted Name isn’t true, but I thought it was creative and funny, so I am adopting it.”

The original version of Mickey Mouse from “Steamboat Willie” An eight-minute short film released in 1928, public domain On January 1, 2024, when copyright protection expires in the United States, according to recently news reportThis means that no permission is required to copy or use the original version of the Mickey Mouse character that appears in the short film.

Aaron J. Moss, copyright attorney at Greenberg Glusker Law Firm in Los Angeles, said: wrote on his website The original version of Mickey Mouse in “Steamboat Willie” had black eyes, small ears and a pointed nose. Over time, Mickey Mouse’s appearance changed to the version we know today. And Mickey stays here.

“These new versions of Mickey are copyrightable even after the original version of the character enters the public domain,” Moss wrote.

The Walt Disney Company has not released any of that information. website The company’s social media pages regarding the removal of Mickey Mouse as its official mascot since the bogus claim was first posted on Feb. 9. Mickey Mouse is still listed on the company’s official page. twitter profile picture and official Facebook Profile picture as of February 21st.

VERIFY reached out to The Walt Disney Company for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.