Comment by kevin_thibedeau
Comment by kevin_thibedeau 5 days ago
It's still a trademark for perpetuity. Copyright expiration on specific films doesn't change that. This is why Disney started using the pie-eyed mickey more heavily in their marketing 10+ years ago to reinforce their trademark over that version of the character.
It's in trademark as long as Disney registers and renews the trademark in whatever country.
And trademark doesn't protect against any and all use in the same way copyright does -- only uses that might create consumer confusion with the trademark owner's uses.
Presumably, a company that has been selling grocery staples since 1935 with that logo isn't creating much confusion.
Arguably, Paraguayan Mickey has a better claim that modern do-everything Disney Mickey is infringing on its long-established trademark...