Disney Files Cease and Desist Against Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is on the rise, and Disney is now working to protect their most loved characters. Do you think Disney is overreacting?

Disney Entering Public Domain

You might remember that 2024 was a huge year for Copyright Law. Steamboat Willie became the first Mickey Mouse short to enter the Public Domain, meaning that the very earliest version of Mickey Mouse is now free to use and repurpose without permission.

More and more of Disney's intellectual property will be free for public use as the years pass. This is a lot of whimsical fun for many people who have been creating clothing, artwork, toys, etc., without worrying about infringement. However, it also opens Mickey and Friends to be utilized in less friendly ways. For example, a slasher film featuring Mickey Mouse has already been created.

Now, even more Classic Disney shorts and their associated characters will be available in the Public Domain, and people can use them however they wish. Here is a rundown of everything Disney that crossed over in 2025.

For several years, actors, artists, directors, writers, and others have grown concerned that their work may be copied or distorted by artificial intelligence. Now Disney is taking action.

CNBC shares that last week, the Walt Disney Company sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI. Disney warns Character.AI to stop using copyrighted characters, which they quickly removed.

Character.AI shares that many characters they offer are their original work, while others are "inspired by existing characters that people love." It is possible that this cease and desist delivered by Disney was directed towards the fact that this "inspiration" included our favorite Disney pals.

Importance of Disney IP

As many Disney fans may recall, Walt Disney and his team of animators created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit before they created Mickey Mouse. In a not-so-magical turn of fate, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Walt Disney Company sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI.

Walt Disney learned the importance of owning his characters' intellectual properties from this experience. When he created Mickey Mouse, this was the start of the Walt Disney Company that we love today. Like Walt Disney said, "I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing- that it was all started by a mouse."

Do you think Disney is overreacting, or do you think this is justified? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.