Disney Legal? What are the official rules ... are they posted?

[ciscobee]

Here's what I am talking about. I have brochures, papers, signs, napkins, ton's of Disney "stuff". I would like to scan this into my PC and post it online, but I cannot seem to find a "this is right/wrong" site for disney. Take for instance a map of the parks ... is it wrong to scan the map into your PC and upload it for the world to see ... or is that mine because I own it? Am I technically "reproducing" it if I am merely allowing others to see it, and I do not edit the original content? What is the difference between inviting someone over to your house and showing it to them, vs. creating a digital copy and showing it to them?

Hopefully someone out here has crossed this bridge before. Last thing I want is a Mickey Mouse NastyGram!

 

[Thrawn]

You can post it on the internet, under Fair Use laws. You cannot claim it as your property, it is still TWDC's. However, unless the object has explicit "do not reproduce" instructions on it, you can use it under the Federal Fair Use guidelines. Same applies for anything released into the public domain.

 

[Fantasmic!329]

PM TheOneVader, he has a site of just what you were talking about- maps, etc. Walt Disney World Guidemap Database

 

[DisJosh]

Thrawn,

Would you happen to know what laws there may be about using words from Disney? Like attraction quotes, or quotes from Walt Disney. Are there copyright laws in place to keep people from using these to print on merchandise?

I mean if it's an actual quote with the name of who or where it came from then I would assume it's legit and not illegal use but I'm just not positive.

I've searched for info everywhere. You sound like you know what you're talking about. Hopefully you can help me.

Thanks.

 

[DanStat]

Thrawn,

Would you happen to know what laws there may be about using words from Disney? Like attraction quotes, or quotes from Walt Disney. Are there copyright laws in place to keep people from using these to print on merchandise?

I mean if it's an actual quote with the name of who or where it came from then I would assume it's legit and not illegal use but I'm just not positive.

I've searched for info everywhere. You sound like you know what you're talking about. Hopefully you can help me.

Thanks.

I don't believe a quote could hold a copyright - as long as the person who spoke it is credited.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Thrawn,

Would you happen to know what laws there may be about using words from Disney? Like attraction quotes, or quotes from Walt Disney. Are there copyright laws in place to keep people from using these to print on merchandise?

If you're using names from Disney (eg Splash Mountain) and use that as a business name, or to promote a business interest OTHER than Disney you could be in trouble.
Quotes from Disney (assume you mean things like the monorail dialogue to MK) again if you use them to place on Tshirts to sell for your own profit then again you could be in trouble
If you placed that same quote on a Tshirt and walked around MK wearing it then I can't see any wrong in that UNLESS it is specifical stated (with photographs, video footage etc) that no part can be reproduced in full, part etc, etc written permission blah, blah.
As a rule of thumb - if in doubt - don't

 

[Thrawn]

If you're using names from Disney (eg Splash Mountain) and use that as a business name, or to promote a business interest OTHER than Disney you could be in trouble.
Quotes from Disney (assume you mean things like the monorail dialogue to MK) again if you use them to place on Tshirts to sell for your own profit then again you could be in trouble
If you placed that same quote on a Tshirt and walked around MK wearing it then I can't see any wrong in that UNLESS it is specifical stated (with photographs, video footage etc) that no part can be reproduced in full, part etc, etc written permission blah, blah.
As a rule of thumb - if in doubt - don't

Pretty much perfect. If you are going to use it for profit, and it belongs in any way to another corporation, what you are doing is illegal. They may not choose to go after you for the infringement, but it is still illegal. That being said, depending on the quote, you could go either way. Something like "its a small world" or "happiest place on earth" they would probably sue you, but something less familiar, like a quote out of, say, a show on property, wouldn't be as much of a sure thing.

If you are just going to use them for you and yours, and not to make a profit off of, there is no way TWDC would come after you.

 

[1disneydood]

"It's a small world" is an expression that has been around way before Walt Disney was even born. Now "It's A Small World" would be infringement since it it a name(capitals) given to a WDW owned attraction, but you could get away with "It's a small world (lowercase, not a name but rather an expression), right?

Mickey the mouse vs. Mickey mouse
Everest vs. Expedition Everest
The haunted mansion vs. the Haunted Mansion

etc. right?

I don't think anyone could own names like Main Street and I think many car manufactures use a test track to test their cars. Guess it just depends on which Lawyer is slick enough.

 

[Thrawn]

Capitalization? Thats pretty humorous, but no. It does depend on how you are using it, though. If you are selling it with other Disney related things, then they would go after it. I doubt you are going to sell one Disney item total, so as long as you are using the quote, its illegal, because of the context.

Mickey the Mouse would also be the same situation. It is clearly trying to take advantage of a property of TWDC.
Everest is a mountain. As such, it would be fine, again, as long as it doesn't allude to WDW, AK, etc.
The Haunted Mansion is another situation just like the first two.

Main Street USA would also be something they could go after you for, if they do have a copyright on it. (I don't know if they do) "Main Street" they couldn't, unless, again, you do something like "Main Street in the Magic Kingdom".

Car manufacturer's do use "test tracks" (really called proving grounds) to test vehicles. However, Test Track is a ride in Epcot. Again, if used in a context pertaining to TWDC, it is illegal.

 

[AEfx]

"It's a small world" is an expression that has been around way before Walt Disney was even born. Now "It's A Small World" would be infringement since it it a name(capitals) given to a WDW owned attraction, but you could get away with "It's a small world (lowercase, not a name but rather an expression), right?

Actually, in offical signage and park maps, it's actually called -

"it's a small world"

- no caps at all.

I understood your point - but the others are a better example.

AEfx

 

[TheOneVader]

PM TheOneVader, he has a site of just what you were talking about- maps, etc. Walt Disney World Guidemap Database

First of all, I want to say I'm glad people are going to my web site! :sohappy:

Second, I don't really know any of that legal stuff... I'm just kinda hoping Disney doesn't do anything... Even if it is illegal (Which I doubt it is), I'm sort of helping them get more paying guests. People see the guidemaps and what's in the parks, so they decide they wanna go and see the stuff for themself.

Also, I don't think I have to worry... Look how many other Disney sites there are. Mine's just a little itty bitty tiny one. If they wanted to stop Disney fan sites (Which would be a HORRIBLE guest relations move), they'd go after the big ones first, like WDWMagic for instance... Steve, run... Run like hell... lol

As for the quotes on T-Shirts. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to do that. I'm sure they could go after you since you're profiting off of what's said on their attraction. Will they? Probably not. But it's always a possibility.