use, plus Disney mystery

[Steve Wargo] "Who is actually going to file a lawsuit over something so trivial?"

Not to disagree with Walter -- as I said in my post, I do intend to make sure we get written permission. But I also agree with Steve. Which is why a lawyer's perspective would be valuable -- he/she may well say "Don't bother them - they'll be puzzled that you're even asking," based on his/her experience. Based on history, not legal "fact."

Walter's comment about Disney is also based on history. I've commented before in this forum, I believe, about an incident where I merely ASKED permission to use a totally benign and fair-use-eligible (as evidence of world-wide influence of American culture) photo of a Chinese man wearing a Disney sweatshirt, and Disney reacted like I had committed homicide or worse in the town square in front of cute little children and nuns. It was the most offensive letter I've ever received, and over NOTHING. Disney (which of course based its early fortune on stealing old German folk tales) is not just a brave defender of its intellectual property -- it is a huge corporate bully that has feathered the nest of so many Congressmen that they manage to get the copyright law extended whenever one of their properties is about to go into public domain.

I have a question about Disney. I saw a little boy being led by the hand by his 20-ish Dad yesterday -- boy was wearing a "Mickey Mouse" (copyright, Disney Corp., not used by permission) teeshirt, and I wondered, WHY? What creative output involving Mickey Mouse has captured his imagination? Has Mickey been funny, or charming, or even INTERESTING, in the last fifty years? I don't get it. Is it brainwashing? I can understand MY being brainwashed -- I'm old enough to remember Walt intro'ing the Wonderful World of Disney, and I thought Walt was the coolest old guy ever. But this generation buying Mickey shirts for the kids? Must be a theme-park purchase.

Bob C