The mouse is fine with horror pastiches, but draws the line at merch.

An early iteration of Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain alongside Winnie-the-Pooh, Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood, signaling potential legal action by companies like Disney and Warner Bros.

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time. Created in 1928 by Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks, Mickey Mouse has served as the longtime mascot of The Walt Disney Company.

While the Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie is in the public domain, a new lawsuit claims Disney is preventing the character's use.

The lawsuit seeks clarity around whether companies can exploit the earliest depiction of Mickey Mouse from a 1928 animated ...