Sorry, You Can't Patent Cartoon Characters

Dear Rich: I would love to know more about patent drawing requirements. Well, first off my drawing in this case are cartoons characters which I would love to share around the internet but I am afraid that it will be easily stolen. Is it possible to patent cartoons for example, Mickey Mouse? If yes what should I do to achieve such actions and what documents are required? I'm interested in starting an online comic and my further plan is to sell some small merchandise into the market and therefore I will need such protection. We think you misunderstand the purpose of patent drawings. They're technical illustrations that explain how to make and use a patented innovation. So, they're not the right choice for protecting a cartoon character.*
How do most cartoonists protect their creations? Most cartoon characters are protected under copyright and trademark law (not patent law). Even though copyright is free and automatic, we still recommend copyright registration (online $35). Read more about copyright protection and registration for protecting cartoons and comic strips. You can also acquire trademark protection for your character. That provides exclusive rights to the character name, logo, and image on certain goods and services. Read more about trademark law, here. Keep in mind, no matter what laws protect your character, you can't prevent others from stealing it. These legal protections give you the basis - assuming you can afford it --  to chase, sue and recover from the wrongdoers.
* That Said Dept. Although there's no way you can obtain a utility patent for a cartoon character (utility patents only protect functional inventions), you can file a design patent, if, for example, your character is incorporated into the design of a lamp base. It's probably overkill in your situation because of the costs involved for filings (particularly if you are seeking expedited treatment). Copyright and trademark laws should provide equivalent or better protection.

Can You Copyright a Patent?

Dear Rich: I improved an expired invention. When I prepared my provisional patent application I downloaded drawings from the old patent and made a lot of modifications to show how I had improved the original. I'm submitting these drawings as part of my provisional patent application and I'm also citing that patent as prior art and wanted to attach a copy with my application. Here's my question. What if the patent has expired, but the copyright hasn't? Let's sort out a few things first. When you refer to an expired invention, we assume you mean an expired patent, one that's run out of gas because the term is over or the owner failed to pay maintenance fees. In other words, the patent is in the public domain. Second, if it helps to explain your invention, you can include the expired patent with your application (and mention it as prior art). But it's not necessary to provide copies of prior art patents when filing a provisional patent application. As for the drawings, we think you'll be fine but there are a few things to consider.
Copyrighting a patent? It's not uncommon for a patent applicant to use text or drawings from a prior art patent when submitting an application and there have been disputes as to whether a patent’s text or drawings are protected by copyright. The USPTO takes the position that, “Subject to limited exceptions reflected in 37 CFR 1.71(d) and (e) and 1.84(s), the text and drawings of a patent are typically not subject to copyright restrictions.”
What makes the issue somewhat confusing is ... One of the exceptions to the general rule, above, is that patent examiner regulations permit patent applicants to include copyright notices and copyright claims regarding authorship in patent text or drawings. The PTO’s website also states “There are also instances where a portion of the text or drawings of a patent may be under copyright. You should consult an attorney regarding these potential trademark and copyright issues.” And then there's also a 2003 case, Rozenblat v. Sandia Corp. 69 USPQ2d 1474 (7th Cir 2003) in which the Seventh Circuit, acknowledged the copyrightability of an inventor's patent drawings (although ruling against the inventor as to the issue of infringement). Finally, Copyright Office regulations  do not prohibit registration of patent drawings.
What's an inventor to do? As a general rule, the “borrowing” of technical language or drawings is likely to qualify as fair use under copyright law. However, exercise caution if the patent from which you are copying clearly indicates it is protected by copyright—for example the patent includes a statement of copyright ownership or a copyright symbol.
BTW Dept. Last month, the USPTO's General Counsel issued a paper on fair use and non patent literature (NPLs) that must often be furnished as part of the regular patent application. The USPTO concluded, “we believe that it is fair use for an applicant to make copies of NPL and submit those copies to the USPTO during examination in an IDS.”