U.S. Senator Targets Disney With Bill Limiting Copyright Protection Term

[Ernesto Van der Sar]

Over the past decades, copyright protection terms have gradually been extended all around the world.

In the United States, copyrights are currently enforceable for 70 years after the author’s death. If something was made for hire, protection is available for 95 years after publication or 120 years after creation, whichever is shorter.

These terms were last changed in the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, which is also dubbed the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act”. This is a reference to Disney’s famous cartoon character, whose original copyright protections were about to expire.

New Bill Proposes to Shorten the Copyright Term


Today, more than two decades later, “Steamboat Willie” is at risk again. However, instead of extending the copyright term even further, Republican Senator Josh Hawley has just proposed a bill that would shorten it.

The newly introduced “Copyright Clause Restoration Act” proposes to lower the copyright term for new copyrights to 56 years. This change would also apply retroactively to companies with a market cap of over $150 billion and are part of the movie or entertainment industries.

The latter conditions single out the major copyright companies including Disney. This is not without reason, as the official announcement on the Senator’s website calls out the media giant as well.

“Senator Hawley’s bill would limit new copyright protections to 56 years and make the change retroactive for massive corporations like Disney that have been granted unnecessarily long copyright monopolies,” it reads.

Woke Politics?


The proposal to limit the copyright term is not just about encouraging creativity. It is partly motivated by Disney’s opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which has angered many Republican lawmakers.

Previously, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would end Disney’s tax benefits, motivated by the same reason. Commenting on his own proposal, Senator Hawley also calls out Disney for its “woke” stance.

“The age of Republican handouts to Big Business is over. Thanks to special copyright protections from Congress, woke corporations like Disney have earned billions while increasingly pandering to woke activists.

“It’s time to take away Disney’s special privileges and open up a new era of creativity and innovation,” the Senator adds.

Mickey in Danger?


The Copyright Clause Restoration Act is, without doubt, a far-reaching proposal that, if passed, could have wide-ranging implications. However, the Republicans don’t have a majority in the Senate so that seems unlikely.

Even if the copyright term was indeed limited, Mickey Mouse won’t enter the public domain in its entirety. All later creations of the character remain protected, including all films and other media that were created more recently.

That said, Disney and other major rightsholders won’t be happy with Senator Hawley’s proposal. Whether it will change their political views and comments is another matter entirely.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

 

[EMS]

Need more people like him in this world......far too many tossers only after one thing MONEY, the artists don't get it, it goes to the company. So screw them! Disney are over priced and have been for many many years

 

[Weaserlorian]

Totally agree ems!

 

[Charvelx04]

Previously, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would end Disney’s tax benefits, motivated by the same reason.

And shot down... bill no longer exists.

It is partly motivated by Disney’s opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which has angered many Republican lawmakers.

Awwww... poor cry babies. The so called leaders against "cancel culture", literally leading the way on cancel culture. Why anyone pays any attention to the whacked out ideas these boneheads come up with, is beyond me.

However, the Republicans don’t have a majority in the Senate so that seems unlikely.

What a shame! Because it seems that no matter who has the majority, Reps back a few years ago and couldn't even pass their own legislation, or today.. where the minority stand in the way of our entire country, using the filibuster. They can cry all they want, but none of them are on board with where America is going. They want single, fascist leadership and like this legislation boldly puts out, if you don't agree with them.. they want to sue you, punish you, ban you.. and otherwise condemn you because you want to be who you are.. and not what they want you to be.

I'm surprised, that I'm never surprised any more that when they spell out their stupidity and racism so blatantly, that so many are willing to climb on board because they love the thought of white domination.