MovieWho says Disney automatically thinks of Mickey Mouse. The mischievous little mouse has been a prominent figure in the entertainment company for years. But in 2024, Mickey Mouse will become part of the public domain. To write “The Guardian”.
Wait another two years and then Mickey Mouse will be in the public domain. Disney will automatically lose copyright to the world’s most famous mouse. Mickey Mouse was born on October 1, 1928 in the black and white animated film Steamboat Willie. Since then, the mouse has undergone several transformations: both physically and in terms of personality. “In the early days, the mischievous Mickey looked more like a mouse, with a long, pointy nose, black eyes, and a small body with spindle legs and a long tail,” the National Museum of American History said. It’s that original Mickey that will no longer be copyrighted by 2024, and will become part of the public domain. All newer releases of Disney have different copyrights, which will be retained. Until they turn 95, too.
However, that doesn’t mean everyone will be able to use Mickey Mouse from 2024, Daniel Maeda, head of the Documentary Legal Clinic at UCLA Law School, tells The Guardian. “You can use the Mickey Mouse character, as it was originally created, to create your own Mickey Mouse stories, or stories that show the character. But if you do it in a way that people think of Disney—which is very likely because they’ve been investing in the character for so long—it could be Disney says you infringed on their copyrights.”
Winnie the Pooh
Disney has previously seen Winnie the Pooh and most of his friends are part of the public domain. Only Tigger is an exception, the copyright on this number only expires in a year. However, the creators are already eagerly benefiting from the new development. For example, a horror movie about Winnie the Pooh is in the works. Although creators have to be careful: Disney still trademarks certain phrases or costumes that the characters wear. Among other things, the red shirt of Winnie the Pooh is protected in this way. Therefore, horror filmmakers have to rely on the 1926 Winnie and avoid the brands. “Copyright is limited by time, but trademarks are not,” Mayeda says. “So Disney can keep that brand forever, even if they have to keep using it.”
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