Copyright: Why We Can't Have Nice Things

#FreeMickeyMouse from copyright jail.

This video, like everything else in the world, is copyrighted. But what does that really mean? Copyright laws started out as a way to protect creators from having their hard work stolen, but it's turned into something else entirely. We'll explain how in this Wisecrack Edition on Copyright: Why We Can't Have Nice Things.

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Written by Jeanette Moreland
Hosted by Michael Burns
Directed by Elizabeth Yarwood
Motion Graphics by Riley A
Editing & Additional Animation by Andrew Nishimura
Video Title Card by Amanda Murphy
Produced by Evan Yee

Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

#alwayssunny #fx #wisecrack

© 2021 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[jonahwardell]

Walt’s story with Oswald is so ironic considering that Disney’s current policy is that all art created by artists under Disney’s employ then belongs to Disney. Employees cannot create their own work, only the corporation’s work, even if it’s unrelated to the project they’re employed on

[twilightvulpine]

The basic issue that is overlooked is also that the current state copyright does not protect artists who create for-hire artistic work. They only protect the wealthy corporations which hired them, and strip the artists' ability to keep creating based on their work and profit over it.

[Dachusblot]

Fun fact: if our modern day copyright laws had existed back in the Middle Ages, the entire King Arthur mythos wouldn't exist as we have it today.

[oantimido]

Disney is a villain origin story. One of my favorite jabs at it is when Walt comes himself to an Epic Rap Battle of History between Jim Henson and Stan Lee (both now owned by Disney) and straight up says "I'm owning this battle, in fact I own this whole series", mentioning the fact ERB was at the time working for Maker Studios which is -- you guessed it --- owned by Disney.

[PleasantSludge]

The funniest (see: worst) part about this is that Walt Disney didn't even create Oswald or Mickey himself, they were created by Ub Iwerks, an animator at the studio.

[AveryTalksAboutStuff]

Every online creator has had a copyright battle with disney at some point.

[bazzfromthebackground]

The song you're referring to that is referenced everywhere is "Dies Irae."

And yes, Disney has tried to copyright it.

[RJ_Ehlert]

MeatCanyon, youtube animator specializing in the grotesque, had one of his original animations claimed by Warner brothers.

It is now therefore canon that Bugs Bunny is struggling with the urge to use violent sodomy to punish Elmer Fudd for hunting rabbits.

[Jedidiah_McCain]

Can I just say that the title “Copyright: Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” might be your best video title ever?

[laurocoman]

So Walt walked away with a big chip on his shoulder and swore to never share his gains again. Then his entire industry was inherited by a media-entertainment tycoon which wants to take over every screen on the planet. This has to be the best villain origin story.
Edit: the Amazon Lex Luthor guy in the replies is kinda right.

[moondoor]

It's such a disappointing feeling to realize that when you're a kid you love Disney but when you grow up you realize they're the villains all along

[jakeneilson]

Its sad that Disney is so unwilling to let any of its properties fall into public domain (one little mouse in particular) when they literally have made billions off of the public domain. No consideration of giving back.

[KTSamurai]

society: you should have to work for everything you own, no hand outs
also society: copyrights should extend after the creator's death so their families/estates can continue to make money off their creations

[davorianware]

Wow, the whole entertainment industry and copywriting is messed up because walt disney wanted to spite everyone for losing his character? That's like a backstory for a common villain.

[pianomaiden]

"This is how Wisecrack gets away with showing clips from lots of movies and TV shows without getting sued... so far." This cracked me up.

[topochijo]

Trying to get hired at Disney animation studio is Catch 22. You have to sign a release form, when you're dropping off your portfolio. Stating that they can take your ideas and art works for their use. Of course there's a great chance of you not getting hired since you're competing against other talented artists from all over the world, and the job availability. But what do you do? You want your portfolio to be reviewed by their producers/ directors/ veteran artists. So you cross your fingers, sign that form, and wait for that phone call. At least that was my experience 25 years ago. And many other forms were signed with many other studios thereafter.

[aaronw]

Greed...greed is why we can't have nice things.

[aisadal]

That title is so true, especially with the surges of DMCAs, most of them done even in spite of fair use, in 2016 and onwards

[samantha.redacted]

some old films have literally disintegrated because they weren’t well kept and people only tried to find out where they were after their copyright ended

[josephdemille]

Disney is far from the only villain either. Music labels literally sell material under the pretense that the purchaser is also allowed to use said material, without providing any legal proof or recourse that they actually do have the rights. A track I made is still monetized by a music label to this day which sold me samples and the rights to use them in my composition.