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Mickey Mouse, one of Disney’s most beloved characters, is set to become publicly available in 2024. However, the situation is a bit more complicated, as artists and creators outside of Disney will only be able to use the very first image of Mickey from Steamboat Willie, and in a very limited way.
A Disney representative detailed to the Associated Press what the expiration of the copyright for “Steamboat Willie” means.
“Since Mickey Mouse first appeared in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated him with Disney stories, experiences and authentic products. That won’t change when Steamboat Willie’s copyright expires. The expiration of Steamboat Willie’s copyright will not affect the more modern versions of Mickey, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as the global representative of the Walt Disney Company in our stories, theme park attractions and souvenirs. Of course, we will continue to protect our rights to more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.”
Although copyright coverage is waning, Disney still owns the Mickey trademark as a corporate mascot and brand identifier. Additionally, creators will not be able to create any work that misleads consumers that their Mickey is in any way connected to Disney, as the company will “work to protect consumers from unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.” .
Mickey made his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie in 1928, and under US law copyright can last for 95 years, which expires in 2024. Disney and other companies fought hard to keep their intellectual property out of the public domain and worked with Congress to extend copyright for another 20 years.
In addition to Mickey, Winnie the Pooh’s Tigger will also be in the public domain next year, having first appeared in Milne’s 1928 book The House at Pooh Corner. Not wasting any time, Tigger will appear in the horror film “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2”, which will be released in theaters in February 2024.
As of January 1, 2023, Sherlock Holmes will be in the public domain
Source: IGN
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