Trademarks Chill Public‑Domain Use

After Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, a large law firm asked Disney to confirm it wouldn’t sue if the firm used the cartoon in ads. Disney declined to opine, so the firm sued for a declaratory judgment to clarify that public‑domain use won’t trigger trademark claims. The dispute spotlights how trademarks can functionally restrict public‑domain material in commercial contexts until courts draw clear lines. — A ruling here could define how far trademark law can reach into the public domain, shaping creative, advertising, and cultural reuse norms.