Why? Because We Won’t Rip You Off

Mickey Mouse comic books went on sale all over the country Tuesday, marking the cartoon rodent’s return to China after a four-year absence because of copyright infringements.

The monthly comic book, selling for about 35 cents, is the first in a series of publications that Walt Disney Co. is producing with Chinese partners, the company announced.

Coming soon: Disney shoes, clothes, stationery, school bags and other items. Company officials said Disney is bringing Mickey back to China because Beijing agreed early last year to strengthen protection of intellectual property rights.

Disney pulled out of China in 1989 because it was losing millions of dollars to copyright infringements.