Disney Continues Issuing Copyright Claims for Steamboat Willie on YouTube

YouTube content creators continue to face copyright claims for incorporating footage from Disney's Steamboat Willie into their videos, even though the property is now in the public domain. Since entering the public domain in January, new adaptations of the iconic Disney character, such as a horror movie, have emerged.

Although Steamboat Willie is now in the public domain, that doesn't mean people have complete freedom to use the character or the cartoon. This was evident when a creator received a copyright claim for his parody video of the Disney cartoon through YouTube's ContentID system.

Very cool. pic.twitter.com/t54ml3foJc

— Brock Baker (@BrockBaker) January 4, 2024

On January 4, voice actor Brock Baker shared a copyright claim he received for his video on Twitter, which was later released by Disney. A second copyright claim for the music in his video came from Universal Music Group (UMG), specifically for the use of Steamboat Willie's soundtrack. This claim was also later released.

Baker wasn't the sole YouTuber who received a copyright claim for sharing Steamboat Willie. Vailskibum, another well-known YouTuber and animation enthusiast, also shared his encounter with Steamboat Willie copyright claims in a video.

He clarified that, even though Disney permitted his video to be posted on YouTube, it was still at risk of demonetization. Vailskibum wasn't particularly concerned about this, since he had uploaded the video without altering it, mostly to test if he would also face a copyright claim.

Public Domain/Disney

A DMCA takedown notice is distinct from a copyright claim. The DMCA results in the material being removed from YouTube, while a copyright claim gives the copyright holder control over how the video is used, including the ability to monetize it and restrict its availability in certain regions.

Creators such as Baker, who want to use the cartoon for their comedic adaptations or other narratives as part of their livelihood, may face complex legal obstacles. This is largely due to the fact that Mickey Mouse is a trademark and later versions of the character are owned by Disney.

Considering there’s never been a character as recognizable as Mickey Mouse enter the public domain before, it’s bound to take a while to iron out the kinks.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find it quite ironic that Disney, a corporation known for its strict copyright enforcement, is now issuing copyright claims for a character that is already in the public domain. It's understandable that Disney wants to protect its intellectual property, but it seems unfair to target content creators who are simply using footage of Steamboat Willie in their own creative works.

I believe that Disney should embrace the fact that Steamboat Willie is now in the public domain and allow creators to use the character without fear of copyright claims. This would not only benefit the content creators but also enrich the cultural landscape by allowing new and innovative interpretations of the iconic character. Disney could still maintain control over the character's trademark and later versions, while allowing the public to enjoy and build upon the original work.