In 1998, the short was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". As a work published in 1928, the cartoon will enter the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2024.

What happens when Steamboat Willie becomes public domain?

Legally, that means anyone could now copy and reproduce the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse without permission. Steamboat Willie isn't the first notable work to enter the public domain, nor will it be the last.

Which Mickey Mouse is public domain?

As the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse, the one present in Steamboat Willie, will enter public domain, every other subsequent Mickey Mouse film or evolution of the character is still protected by copyright law.

Does Disney still own Steamboat Willie?

But this isn't the first time the whistling steamer skipper has gotten dangerously close to the end of Disney's copyright. As it stands at the time of this publication, The Walt Disney Company will officially relinquish its copyright on Steamboat Willie, effective January 1, 2024.

What will be public domain in 2024?

After decades of protection, several notable properties will enter the public domain in 2024 and beyond. That means you can use them without having to pay a licensing fee. Most notably for the toy industry, these public domain characters include Mickey Mouse, Superman, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi, Batman, and Bugs…

Disney trying to protect copyright on 'Steamboat Willie'

Will Superman become public domain?

But there are limits to what someone can do with public domain characters. For one thing, the character can only be used as it existed 95 years earlier. Let's take Superman, for example, who first appeared in DC's Action Comics #1 in 1938 and enters the public domain in 2033.

Can Disney keep Mickey Mouse copyright?

Even though the copyright for an old version of Mickey might be expiring soon, Disney does not have to worry about losing Mickey in its entirety. As long as Disney continues to tweak Mickey Mouse, it can get new copyrights and endlessly renew trademarks. So Mickey is here to stay!

Is Bugs Bunny in the public domain?

Most notably for the toy industry, these public domain characters include Mickey Mouse, Superman, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi, Batman, and Bugs Bunny. Before you begin placing Batman logos on your toys, however, be mindful that the freedom to use these characters is limited to how they looked when they first appeared.

Is Pinocchio in the public domain?

While it is likely one of the best-selling books ever published, the actual total sales since its first publication are unknown due to the many reductions and different versions. The story has been a public domain work in the U.S. since 1940.

Is Peter Pan in the public domain?

US copyright

Although the novel Peter Pan (also known as Peter and Wendy) is in the public domain in the US, the play (and stage adaptations) is in copyright there until December 2023.

Will Batman ever be public domain?

Copyright law in the United States dictates that works published after the 95th year of publication will no longer be affected by copyright. This means that characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Mickey Mouse, Captain America, and Batman will be entering the public domain within the next 15 years.

Are any Disney Princesses public domain?

Disney owns the copyright to the princess movies it made, but not to the term princess nor to princesses not in movies they made. Also, most of Disney princess movies are based on public domain stories - Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc.

Which Disney Princesses are public domain?

Cinderella's story from the Brothers Grimm is public domain along with Snow White's story, Rapunzel's story and so on and so forth.

Is Steamboat Willie still protected by copyright?

As a work published in 1928, the cartoon will enter the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2024.

How can I use Disney characters legally?

To utilise Disney characters without violating their rights, you must obtain permission from The Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries. Its characters are protected by copyright and trademark laws, and unauthorised use can lead to legal consequences.

Why is Steamboat Willie losing copyright?

But the copyright on the Steamboat-Willie-version will run out in 2024 after 95 years. Initially, copyrights only lasted 28 years. But, due in large part to Disney's lobbying and legal efforts, copyrights were first extended to 75 years, then later to 95 years.

Is Tinkerbell public domain?

"Tinker Bell" appeared as a character in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, first staged in 1904, and so the parties were in agreement that under copyright law, both the name and the character are in the public domain.

Is Beauty and the Beast in the public domain?

There are many popular films and musicals that are based on novels that are now in the public domain. Obvious examples include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which is based on the classic French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, as well as The Wizard of Oz, which is based on L.

Is Winnie-the-Pooh book public domain?

Winnie-the-Pooh was published on 14 October 1926 by Methuen & Co. in England and E. P. Dutton in the United States. As a work first published in 1926, the book entered the public domain in the United States on 1 January 2022.

Is Tom and Jerry in the public domain?

Today, animation historians refer to the original Tom and Jerry characters as Van Beuren's Tom and Jerry. Today, all of these cartoons are in the public domain.

Is Shrek in the public domain?

For works created by corporations like DreamWorks Animation, the copyright term is 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever comes first. Since Shrek was created by DreamWorks Animation in 2001, its copyright will not expire until at least 2096.

Is Scooby Doo under public domain?

Scooby-Doo is a registered trademark of Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

What is going to happen to Mickey Mouse in 2024?

The beloved mouse that is nearly a century old will soon enter public domain — the original Mickey Mouse's copyright expires in 2024. This anthropomorphic mouse is recognizable even by the silhouette of his ears and, in some ways, has been the face of The Walt Disney Co. since his 1928 creation.

What is entering public domain in 2023?

What will enter the public domain in 2025?

Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, books published in 1929, films released in 1929, and other works published in 1929, will enter the public domain in 2025. Sound recordings that were published in 1924 will enter the public domain. The character Popeye the Sailor Man will enter the public domain in 2025.