A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Will Mickey Mouse ever enter the public domain?

Best Answers

Mickey Mouse debuted to the world in the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie, and has since transformed into an icon recognized around the world. But the mouse's status as Disney's exclusive property is under threat. read more

So, on January 1, 2024, the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon Steamboat Willie will pass into the public domain, along with The Barn Dance. 3 The expiration of the copyrights in these films will mean that anyone can make copies of them. read more

"Public domain" refers to copyright protection. As has been reported extensively online (search: mickey mouse copyright - Google), Disney's copyright pertaining to Mickey Mouse will expire in 2024. However, copyright expiration does not mean that the public will have a free, unlimited right to use Mickey Mouse as they wish. read more

All works published prior to 1922 immediately entered the public domain; all works published after 1922 (including Mickey Mouse) were entitled to the full 75 years of protection. Just like that, Mickey Mouse extended his copyright death 19 years -- from 1984 to 2003. read more

Related Facts