Disney’s Donald Duck Firmly In Place As Oregon’s Mascot

The Univ. of Oregon’s agreement to use Donald Duck, “occasionally rumored to be out” as the school’s mascot, “survived decades of corporate changes and still has Disney’s blessing,” according to Rachel Bachman of the Portland OREGONIAN. In ’47, Walt Disney “struck a handshake deal that allowed Oregon to use” the cartoon character, and in ’73 the agreement became a “written contract with a few strings attached.” Merchandise with the Donald Duck logo can be sold “only within the state and at special events,” such as UO’s appearance in the ’07 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. UO “must send all proposed Donald-related items to Disney for approval.” Using the character also “requires vendors to pay a 12[%] royalty fee, half of which goes to Disney”; UO makes a 6% royalty on Donald merchandise, rather than its usual 8% (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/5).