From Ananova.
Austria has launched a tongue-in-cheek attempt to claim the Mickey Mouse copyright after discovering a picture of the Disney character on a medieval fresco.
The 700-year-old Austrian Mickey Mouse was uncovered in a church in the village of Malta in the province of Carinthia.
Siggi Neuschitzer, manager of the local tourism office, confirmed that the legal process to claim the copyright had already started.
He said: “I visited Vienna and had a long meeting with our legal team. They have been instructed to demand Disney return the mouse to its rightful home here in Austria.
“Anyone who has seen our fresco can see it proves that Mickey Mouse is a true Austrian – and was not from Hollywood.”
Malta mayor Hans Peter Schaar said villagers did not want to be greedy and were prepared to consider an out-of-court settlement.
He said: “We wouldn’t want much, perhaps they would build something here as a tribute to Mickey that would encourage the tourists, nothing too big and tasteless of course, and with an Alpine theme.”
Mickey Mouse was first sketched by Walt Disney in 1928. The 14th century version is shown kneeling at the feet of St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers.
Eduard Mahlknecht, the art historian and restorer who uncovered it, said that St Christopher was often portrayed surrounded by animals.
The Disney company has refused to comment.
Story filed: 15:11 Friday 22nd November 2002
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