<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT COLOR="#010101" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 8/27/2003 8:43:38 AM Pacific Standard Time, </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Shaun Craill <BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#010101" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">in addition to the copyright protection, all of the different cartoon characters owned by Disney have been trademarked, which is something that does not expire as long as Disney uses those trademarks (characters) occasionally and they are still recognised and identifiable within their respective trademark category.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT><FONT COLOR="#010101" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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I think you're right, Shaun. Another interpretation of the rules could be that you'd be able to use any material that's out of copyright and in the public domain as long as you don't show the character. So I guess you could go through all the old strips and white out the Disney character and, unless Disney has trademarked the backgrounds, you'd be safe. Maybe.<BR>
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<< </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Disney does not add a date tag to any claim of copyright like you see in most books. << Instead you will only see the copyright symbol and next to it the word DISNEY.<BR>
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Which makes it a real problem when you're trying to find a date for historical accuracy. <BR>
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Bob Foster</FONT></HTML>