O'Neill v. Walt Disney Prods., 439 U.S. 1132 (1979). · Go Syfert
O'Neill v. Walt Disney Prods., 439 U.S. 1132 (1979). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 2× by 1 distinct case, last quoted 1992 · …silly sympathies" in adult comic books did not infringe on disney's "silly symphonies ⚠ not in text
132 citation events (4 in the last 25 years) across 25 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Vanna White v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a New York Corporation, and David Deutsch Associates, Inc., a New York Corporation (ca9, 1992-08-19)
Treatment trajectory · 1979 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1979 2002 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 36 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Vanna White v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a New York Corporation, and David Deutsch Associates, Inc., a New York Corporation (2×)
9th Cir. · 1992 · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence low
silly sympathies" in adult comic books did not infringe on disney's "silly symphonies
cited Cited "see" Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. v. Penguin Books USA, Inc.
S.D. Cal. · 1996 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 759 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979). 11 .
discussed Cited "see" Bayer v. United States
D.C. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
An aiding and abetting conviction will stand when facts show that the appellants “in some [way] associated themselves] with the venture, that [they] participated] in it as in something that [they] wish[ed] to bring about, that [they sought] by [their] aetion[s] to make it succeed.” Bailey v. United States, 135 U.S.App.D.C. 95, 98 , 416 F.2d 1110, 1113 (1969); see Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336, 1342 (D.C.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Thomas Alfred Flanagan (2×)
10th Cir. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Askew, 584 F.2d 960, 963 (10th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
cited Cited "see" Brooks v. United States
D.C. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336, 1342 (D.C.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979). .
cited Cited "see" People v. Larson
Colo. Ct. App. · 1989 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Askew, 584 F.2d 960 (10th Cir.1978), ce rt. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
cited Cited "see" Abend v. MCA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 754 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979). .
discussed Cited "see" Abend v. McA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 754 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979) 20 Ordinarily a denial of a motion for summary judgment is not a final order and thus not appealable. 28 U.S.C.
discussed Cited "see" Olson v. National Broadcasting Co. Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 755 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979). “[M]any literary characters may embody little more than an unprotected idea [while] a comic book character, which has physical as well as conceptual qualities, is more likely to contain some unique elements of expression.” Id.
discussed Cited "see" Ernest Olson v. National Broadcasting Company, Inc., and Karen Hendel Stephen Cannell McA Inc. & McA Television, Ltd., Ernest Olson v. National Broadcasting Company, Inc., and Stephen Cannell, McA Inc., and McA Television, Ltd., Ernest Olson v. National Broadcasting Company, Inc., and Joseph Cannell, Dba Stephen J. Cannell Productions, McA Inc., and McA Television, Ltd.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 755 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979). "[M]any literary characters may embody little more than an unprotected idea [while] a comic book character, which has physical as well as conceptual qualities, is more likely to contain some unique elements of expression." Id.
discussed Cited "see" New Line Cinema Corp. v. Bertlesman Music Group, Inc.
S.D.N.Y. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 757 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979) (due to widespread public recognition of Disney characters, very little was necessary to conjure them up).
discussed Cited "see" Bartley v. United States (2×)
D.C. · 1987 · signal: see · confidence high
Id. at 312; see Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336 (D.C.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979) (evidence of a cover-up plan inferentially proved appellant’s identity).
discussed Cited "see" Baxter v. McA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1987 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1978); Universal Pictures v. Harold Lloyd, 162 F.2d 354 (9th Cir.1947); Heim v. Universal Pictures Co., 154 F.2d 480, 488 (single brief phrase so idiosyncratic as to preclude coincidence might suffice to show copying) (dictum); Fred Fisher, Inc. v. Dillingham, 298 F. 145 (S.D.N.Y.1924) (L.
discussed Cited "see" Baxter v. MCA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1987 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1978); Universal Pictures v. Harold Lloyd, 162 F.2d 354 (9th Cir.1947); Heim v. Universal Pictures Co., 154 F.2d 480, 488 (single brief phrase so idiosyncratic as to preclude coincidence might suffice to show copying) (dictum); Fred Fisher, Inc. v. Dillingham, 298 F. 145 (S.D.N.Y.1924) (L.
cited Cited "see" Harvey Cartoons v. Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
S.D.N.Y. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 754 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
examined Cited "see" Marvin Fisher D/B/A Marvin Music Company and Jack Segal v. Rick Dees, Atlantic Recording Corporation, Warner Communications, Inc. (3×)
9th Cir. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See discussion, supra. Accordingly, in Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979), we gave the Benny opinion a nar *436 row interpretation and acknowledged that parody is a potential fair use subject to the multi-factor analysis codified in. section 107.
discussed Cited "see" Williams v. United States (2×)
D.C. · 1984 · signal: see · confidence high
See Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336, 1342 (D.C.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979).
cited Cited "see" James Brewer, Cross-Appellant v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., Cross-Appellee
9th Cir. · 1984 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 756 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Jose Jenkins
10th Cir. · 1983 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Askew, 584 F.2d 960, 962-63 (10th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Smith v. Mabry, 564 F.2d 249, 252-53 (8th Cir.1977), cert. denied, 435 U.S. 907 , 98 S.Ct. 1456 , 55 L.Ed.2d 499 (1978).
cited Cited "see" Knickerbocker Toy Co., Inc. v. Winterbrook Corp.
D.N.H. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 , 754-57 & n. 14 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
discussed Cited "see" Brooks v. United States
D.C. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See Hackney v. United States, D.C.App., 389 A.2d 1336, 1344 (1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979); cf. Tinsley v. United States, D.C.App., 368 A.2d 531, 537 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" National Business Lists, Inc. v. Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See Leon v. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co., supra, at 486-87, Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 , (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Universal City Studios v. Sony Corp. of America, supra, at 971-72; Schroeder v. William Morrow & Co., supra, at 6.
discussed Cited "see" McA, Inc. v. Wilson
2d Cir. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
Rosemont Enterprises, Inc. v. Random House, Inc., supra, 366 F.2d at 310 ; Walt Disney Productions v. Mature Pictures Corp., 389 F.Supp. 1397, 1398 (S.D.N.Y.1975); see Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 756 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of America, 480 F.Supp. 429, 454 (C.D.Cal.1979). 9 The final suggested factor concerns the effect of the alleged infringing use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
discussed Cited "see" MCA, Inc. v. Wilson
2d Cir. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
Rosemont Enterprises, Inc. v. Random House, Inc., supra, 366 F.2d at 310 ; Walt Disney Productions v. Mature Pictures Corp., 389 F.Supp. 1397, 1398 (S.D.N.Y.1975); see Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 756 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of America, 480 F.Supp. 429, 454 (C.D.
discussed Cited "see" F. E. L. Publications, Ltd. v. Catholic Bishop of Chicago
N.D. Ill. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir. 1978) cert. denied, O'Neill v. Walt Disney Productions, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); cf. Davies v. Bowes, 209 F. 53 (D.C.N.Y.1913), aff'd, 219 F. 178 (2d Cir. 1914). 4 .
discussed Cited "see" Pignons S. A. De Mecanique De Precision v. Polaroid Corp.
D. Mass. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Production v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979) (similarity between marks should not be judged by a simple side by side comparison; mark and alleged imitation should be viewed in light of what occurs in the marketplace); Miller Brewing Co., supra, 452 F.Supp. at 446.
cited Cited "see" DC Comics, Inc. v. Filmation Associates
S.D.N.Y. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 754-55 (9th „ Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979). 7 .
discussed Cited "see" Stop the Olympic Prison v. United States Olympic Committee
S.D.N.Y. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 759 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Girl Scouts v. Personality Posters, supra, 304 F.Supp. at 1231 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Graham v. United States
D.C. · 1997 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Morriss v. United States, 554 A.2d 784, 788-89 (D.C.1989) (citing Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336, 1342 (D.C.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979)). 11 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Hazel v. United States
D.C. · 1991 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Hackney v. United States, 389 A.2d 1336 (D.C.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 95 (1979) (where identity of murderer at issue, evidence of a series of murders to cover-up original murder would have been properly admitted at separate trials).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Mutual of Omaha Insurance v. Novak
8th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see also · confidence low
McCarthy, Trademarks and Unfair Competition § 2:6 (1973), and Mutual’s rights therein need not “yield to the exercise of First Amendment rights under circumstances where adequate alternative avenues of communication exist.” Lloyd Corp. v. Tanner, 407 U.S. 551, 567 , 92 S.Ct. 2219, 2228 , 33 L.Ed.2d 131 (1972); accord Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Inc., 604 F.2d at 206 ; see also Walt Disney Prods, v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 758-59 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Reddy Communications, Inc., 199 U.S.P.Q.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, a Nebraska Corporation v. Franklyn Novak, an Individual, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, a Nebraska Corporation v. Franklyn Novak, an Individual
8th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see also · confidence low
McCarthy, Trademarks and Unfair Competition Sec. 2:6 (1973), and Mutual's rights therein need not "yield to the exercise of First Amendment rights under circumstances where adequate alternative avenues of communication exist." Lloyd Corp. v. Tanner, 407 U.S. 551, 567 , 92 S.Ct. 2219, 2228 , 33 L.Ed.2d 131 (1972); accord Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Inc., 604 F.2d at 206 ; see also Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 758-59 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Reddy Communications, Inc., 199 U.S.P.Q.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Filimon Castillo Perez v. George E. Sullivan, Warden, and Attorney General, State of New Mexico
10th Cir. · 1986 · signal: see also · confidence low
Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. at 532 , 92 S.Ct. at 2193 ; United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. at 320 , 92 S.Ct. at 2187 ; see also United States v. Askew, 584 F.2d 960, 962 (10th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979); Smith v. Mabry, 564 F.2d 249, 252-53 (8th Cir.1977).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." United States v. James Falco (2×)
7th Cir. · 1984 · signal: see also · confidence low
See, e.g., United States v. Naylor, 705 F.2d 110, 111-12 (4th Cir.1983); United States v. DeFillipo, 590 F.2d 1228, 1240 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 442 U.S. 920 , 99 S.Ct. 2844 , 61 L.Ed.2d 288 (1979); United States v. Mehrmanesh, 689 F.2d 822 , 831 & n. 10 (9th Cir.1982); see also United States v. Askew, 584 F.2d 960, 963 (10th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Warner Bros. Inc. v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
2d Cir. · 1983 · signal: see also · confidence low
However, there has been no doubt that copyright protection is available for characters portrayed in cartoons, even before Nichols, e.g., King Features Syndicate v. Fleischer, 299 Fed. 533 (2d Cir.1924) (Barney Google's horse, Spark Plug); Hill v. Whalen & Martell, Inc., 220 F. 359 (S.D.N.Y.1914) (Mutt and Jeff); see also Empire City Amusement Co. v. Wilton, 134 F. 132 (C.C.D.Mass.1903) (Alphonse and Gaston) (claim sustained against demurrer), and after Nichols, e.g., Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (19…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Warner Bros. Inc. v. American Broadcasting Companies
2d Cir. · 1983 · signal: see also · confidence low
Y.1914) (Mutt and Jeff); see also Empire City Amusement Co. v. Wilton, 134 F. 132 (C.C.D.Mass.1903) (Alphonse and Gaston) (claim sustained against demurrer), and after Nichols, e.g., Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132 , 99 S.Ct. 1054 , 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1978) (Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters); Detective Comics, Inc. v. Bruns Publications, Inc., supra (Superman); see 1 Nimmer § 2.12.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
O'Neill
v.
Walt Disney Productions
No. 78-5832.
Supreme Court of the United States.
Jan 22, 1979.
439 U.S. 1132

C. A. 9th Cir. Certiorari denied.