Santa is a Disney character?

I've yet to look this story up but according to TC who scans through wire stories everyday, there was a man who was thrown out of Disneyland because he was big and hugable (like santa) and he was wearing a red t-shirt and red cap and spotted a beard (like Santa) and apparently kids started coming up to him asking if he was Santa. Guy didn't want to break the kids' hearts so he played along and went "Ho Ho Ho" and then got himself thrown out of the happiest place on earth becuase he was accused of impersonating Santa Claus who apparently is a Walt Disney character?! Now, i know that Santas are not supposed to be real but now we're fighting for copyrights over Santa? "Oh Oh Oh and sigh.." I say.