Eugene (KMTR) - What started as a school project at the University of Oregon is now causing controversy with the world’s biggest entertainment company.
It centers around a rap music video featuring the school's mascot; a duck that looks just like Donald Duck.
Three journalism students created that video last week for a university TV show. Then it went “viral” and ended up plastered all over the Internet.
The problem is, the University of Oregon doesn't own the duck’s image. It is copyrighted by the Walt Disney Company, so the video is a violation.
The school ordered the students to remove it from YouTube, and they did. But it has popped back up.
"There are potential legal issues,” says Dave Williford of U. of O. Athletics. “We're certainly hoping it doesn't come to that."
Now the university is afraid Disney could withdraw the U. of O.’s license to use the duck image.
They have contacted Disney to let them know what's going on, and so far they haven't taken any action.
(Information from KGW-TV)
