Donald Duck is the only Walt Disney character to be licensed out to a United States University to be used as a symbol and athletic mascot. The University of Oregon Ducks first rented the rights to "the duck," as Donald is sweetly refered to in Eugene, back in the 40s, it seems that an admin type was friends with Disney and they struck a deal. Disney is notorious about protecting his copyrights and there is talk around Eugene that the next time the contract comes up for renegotiation, the UO will be loking for a new quacking mascot.