[Robio]

Okay this question may actually require someone a little more intimately familiar with some of Disney's coroporate policies but I figured it couldn't hurt to check. For all I know this may be something extremely trivial, but you never know.

I write for a small magazine in Atlanta called JIVE Magazine. Mostly movie reviews and convention coverage. I also have a monthly column that's one the magazine's website. For my June column I was going to write about my trip to Disney and I was hoping to have pictures of the characters reading the magazine. I figured the sight of Mickey or Goofy standing next to me reading JIVE would be pretty funny. Now for the question. . .

I know Disney pretty much holds onto their characters likenesses, rights, and everything else having to do with them with an iron fist. Since they'd be looking at the magazine I'm wondering if this could be considered an endorsement. The magazine is pretty small time and only regional and this picture won't even appear in it, just the website. Still, like I said, I doubt Disney would let it go. Oh well if you have an idea let me know.

[Disneywife]

If the magazine is something that is sold to the general public and/or the website is viewable to the general public, you absolutely do need to get Disney's permission. The Walt Disney Worldwide corporation has an entire division of watchdogs that look out for, and take action against, unauthorized use of the Disney name, Disney affiliate names, and likenesses.

I have no idea if Disney will grant you permission, but it would be safe to assume that you wouldn't get away with using the likeness and Disney won't notice, PARTICULARLY because you posted it here on DC. They DO read this site and sites like it.

[dznygrl]

Hate to say it, but Disneywife is right. Disney monitors forums like this one regularly, and while something in a small publication might go unnoticed...anything on the internet is an easy target. It's a cool idea, but I'm afraid I wouldn't risk doing it without Disney's explicit permission.