Quote:
Originally Posted by Lockdown
I think you're right Mule. Holy I didn't realize this. 
Do they have permission from Disney because of copyright? |
Disney, to my knowledge doesn't own the rights to fairy tale characters. Grimm was the first to publish them. Disney may own the copyright to "their" version of the characters. Here's a solid explanation that was backed up by an intellectual property lawyer later in the thread. These aren't my words.
"Disclaimer: Have some legal training, but am not a lawyer, am not specialized in intellectual property law.
Going through their application and approval, Disney may have a trademark because they were able to establish that through long use, the name has become nearly synonymous in America with their product. Someone at the Patent and Trademark Office agreed. However, they can still have their trademark challenged, and I suspect if they tried to enforce a trademark claim over Universal's recent Snow White movie, it would be a pretty nasty fight with little to gain for Disney. They likely won't enforce the trademark except where it can be closely identified with their particular take on Snow White, and I suspect that will be primarily in merchandise.
When looking at Snow White and the Huntsman merchandising, they avoid the phrase "Snow White" coming up on its lonesome, to avoid confusion with the Disney character.
Quick Primer on the difference between a trademark, copyright, and a patent:
•A trademark identifies the company or type of product to the consumer.
•A copyright protects the plot, substance, dialogue, notes, etc. of a particular piece of film, story, music, video game, etc.
•A patent identifies a unique mechanism, such as an invention.
Disney does not have copyright to the original Snow White, which is owned by the public; they do have copyright on their version of events."
