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Disney Faces Legal Fire from Both Inside and Out
From heated shareholder showdowns to public domain battles, Disney is navigating a wave of legal challenges that could reshape its image and influence. A major investor lawsuit is putting executive decisions under the microscope — including the handling of political content and talent suspensions. At the same time, Disney is being sued over its stance on public domain usage of Mickey Mouse, in a case that tests just how far copyright protections can stretch.
ChaseLawyers Newsletter
September 30, 2025
Hi there,
This edition dives into two legal salvos aimed at Disney — one from shareholders, and the other from creators testing the boundaries of public domain.
First, an investor group has filed a lawsuit claiming Disney misled shareholders on how its political positions, talent controversies, and executive choices would affect business — all while quietly extending CEO Bob Iger’s contract and reportedly suspending Jimmy Kimmel for political commentary.
Meanwhile, Disney is also being sued by a Florida company after it issued takedowns targeting a horror-themed Mickey Mouse derivative. The lawsuit argues that the original version of Mickey, now in the public domain, should be fair game — setting the stage for a high-stakes copyright dispute.
A group of Disney investors is suing the company, alleging it failed to disclose key risks tied to political controversies, public statements, and top-level leadership decisions. The lawsuit points to CEO Bob Iger’s contract extension and the reported suspension of Jimmy Kimmel over political jokes as events that should’ve been communicated to shareholders. Investors argue they were misled about the company’s handling of internal unrest, reputational risks, and the fallout from Disney’s public disputes with Florida lawmakers. As political polarization grows, this case raises big questions about the legal obligations of media companies navigating public controversy.
Disney Sued for Policing Mickey Mouse Public Domain Use
Disney is also facing a lawsuit over its aggressive takedown efforts against third-party uses of Mickey Mouse — specifically the version that entered the public domain in 2024. A Florida company behind a horror film called Steamboat Willie says Disney wrongly claimed copyright infringement and trademark violations despite the character’s vintage version being fair game. The case could become a major test of how far Disney can stretch trademark and copyright protections over legacy IP, and how much freedom creators have when using public domain material in parody or commentary.
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 Disney Hit With Legal Salvo From Shareholders Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension |  Disney Sued After Enforcing Rights to Mickey Mouse in the Public Domain |
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