Slashdot Mirror
Disney Trades Person for Intellectual Property
Dotnaught writes "Walt Disney Company's ABC has traded sportscaster Al Michaels to General Electric Co.'s NBC for cartoon character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. NBC acquired the rights to the cartoon through its purchase of Universal Studios, which itself gained ownership of the animated rabbit through a contract that Walt Disney signed early in his career. Having to sign Oswald away supposedly prompted Disney to create Mickey Mouse, a character he'd own outright. The company that bears Disney's name fought tooth and nail to retain ownership of Mickey Mouse when the cartoon character's copyright was about to expire."
Ironically, shouldn't that have been copyright infringement on Disney's part?
If somebody came up with something so similiar to Mickey Mouse for the same audience (not parody), I'm sure Disney would send out the big guns to deal with it.
Exactly! He was under contract with ABC. NBC wanted him and he wanted to go to NBC (and I'm OK with that... I think he and Madden make a pretty decent football announcing team). ABC wanted compensation for releasing him from his contract. ABC (ESPN) asked for a few things and they got them.
I completely fail to see why this is in any way disgusting, morally corrupt, or out of the realm of normal and moral business dealings at all.
I agree that one might argue that the perpetual copyright extensions are a bad thing for the public at large, but that's really not part of this story at all.
-S
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
what does this have to do with online?
what does this have to do with rights?
nothing?
ok... just checking.
He was UNDER CONTRACT. That's not slavery. He signed a contract that said in essence "I agree to work for ABC/ESPN for some number of years." He wanted to be released from said contract and ABC sought compensation for this. The parties came to a mutual agreement and everyone is seemingly satisfied. I just don't understand why anyone is upset about what happened.
Sorry, but that's NOT slavery. No one put a gun to his head and said "sign this contract or we shoot!"
Nothing to see here. Move along.
-S
--- What parts of "shall make no law", "shall not be infringed", and "shall not be violated" don't you understand?
That was a joke son, a joke I say.
So you're a Foghorn Leghorn (WB character) fan? In that case, look at what Disney "appropriated" from WB.
Is there any person, event, or technology on this planet that doesn't have a conspiracy theory associated with him/her/it?
If Disney et. al. hadn't fought so hard to make copyright perpetual they could've had the rabbit and Al Michaels too.
...for some peace and quiet. I'm just exhausted with the constant stream of noise and information. Turn the TV off, pack it up, and put it by the curb. Sit and listen to the clock ticking. You'll feel better after.