Disney is <i>massively</i> protective of its characters, <i>especially</i> what it calls the &quot;core characters&quot;. Even Disney-authorized travel agents are told that they can never, I mean <i>never</i>, display an image of Mickey or Minnie Mouse without prior written authorization. There are a handful of artists whom Disney has granted a license to use their characters in specially-cultivated artwork and if these artists try to post <i>their own art</i> that uses licensed characters on <i>their own Facebook accounts</i>, Disney brings out the lawyers. They are rabidly, ridiculously protective of these characters and brands because they don&#x27;t want to ever risk the consumer getting sick of them or associating them with something negative.<p>Although Disney would continue to own the Mickey Mouse trademarks, you can probably tell that they wouldn&#x27;t be fond of the potential dilutive effects that may flow from the free commerce of public domain works involving these characters. To them, <i>Steamboat Willie</i> going PD is the death knell not only of the Mickey Mouse cash cow, but the entire brand icon empire (without which Disney becomes little more than a mediocre theme park destination).