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The Times podcast: The fight to use Mickey Mouse

A person in a Mickey Mouse costume on Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Street performer Javei Rubio, dressed as Mickey Mouse, looks for customers to pose for photos on a deserted section of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in Hollywood
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
By Angel Carreras
 and David Toledo
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Mickey Mouse has been the mascot for Disney going back to the days of, well, Walt himself. But the copyright for the mouse that Disney has zealously guarded for decades is set to expire in just two years. That means the black-and-white version of Mickey Mouse depicted in “Steamboat Willie” would be in the public domain, where anyone can do anything with him and all of his magic and fame.

A group of Republicans, mad at some of Disney stances on social issues recently, want that to happen. Disney though, ain’t going to let Mickey go without putting up a hell of a fight. Read the full transcript here.

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Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times travel reporter Hugo Martín

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Republicans are trying to exterminate Mickey Mouse. Does anyone care?

Whose mouse is it anyway?

Disney Wins Big in Battle to Keep Company Icons

Disney Led Push to Add 20 Years to Copyrights

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About The Times

“The Times” is made by columnist Gustavo Arellano, senior producers Denise Guerra, Shannon Lin and Kasia Broussalian and producers David Toledo, Ashlea Brown and Angel Carreras. Our engineers are Mario Diaz and Mark Nieto. Our editor is Kinsee Morlan. Our executive producers are Jazmín Aguilera and Shani O. Hilton. Our theme song was composed by Andrew Eapen.
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Angel Carreras

Angel Carreras worked with the podcast and audio team as a 2021-22 Los Angeles Times fellow. He is a Bakersfield-raised, Cal State Long Beach journalism graduate. He came to The Times from KCRW, where he was a part of the station’s inaugural Report LA Fellowship. While at KCRW, he produced award-winning, character-driven work with subjects that included budding musicians, professional wrestlers and puppeteers as well as mutual aid groups and community activists.

David Toledo

David Toledo is a former podcast producer for the Los Angeles Times. During his tenure, he produced captivating stories that aligned with the publication’s priorities for their flagship news podcast “The Times.” Notably, he spearheaded the show’s entertainment news and LGBTQ+ coverage.

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