>>3585960Just so you know, you are both right and wrong about that. Mickey Mouse is set to enter the public domain in 2023, which is the same as Japan's, so
>>3585894 is right. However, trademark law also exists that protects Mickey's brand from being exploited by competition due to its direct association with The Walt Disney Company. This just happens to be a byproduct of the way that our world has developed, it is much easier to access information and we're constantly bombarded with imagery, products and services that help reinforce the idea that Mickey is Disney and Disney is Mickey and that separating those two is irreconcilable.