Every January 1st marks a new wave of creative works that step into the public domain. As of January 1, 2024, the copyright on works from 1928 expires, allowing them to enter the public domain.
Notably among this year's cohort are two iconic figures of American pop culture: Mickey and Minnie Mouse. However, it's crucial to note that only a specific iteration of America's beloved rodents is venturing into the public domain.
In the annals of November 1928, Walt Disney Studio unveiled "Steamboat Willie," a groundbreaking short that reshaped the destiny of the company. This seven-minute cartoon, leveraging the then-new technology of synchronized sound, featured Mickey as a steamboat pilot. While other shorts also showcased Mickey and Minnie, it was "Steamboat Willie" that propelled them into ubiquity.
Despite "Steamboat Willie" teetering on the brink of public domain status several times throughout the 20th century, the enactment of the 1998 bill by Congress, often mockingly dubbed the "Mickey Mouse Protection Act," safeguarded it under Disney's copyright umbrella. This legislation extended the duration of copyright protection for works.
However, the temporary shield has now expired, allowing the use of 1928 Mickey and Minnie's images in specific ways as of January 1. According to a comprehensive breakdown from Duke Law, limitations apply: creating Disney merchandise or media mimicking the iconic characters is a no-go. Additionally, Disney maintains copyright over later versions of Mickey, including the famed sorcerer Mickey from the 1940 film "Fantasia."
Source: MSN
Photo: Getty