Batman was created in 1939, which means, under current law, the character enters the public domain in 2034. The Joker was created in 1940 and enters the public domain in 2035. If the U.S. Congress hadn't expanded copyright terms, both Batman and the Joker would already be free to use.
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.
The copyright term for a comic book published in the 1930s up through 1978 ends at the end of the year 95 years after initial publication. Thus, Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman and cover dated June 1938, will enter public domain beginning January 1, 2034.
In spite of these lengthy terms, many of America's most beloved intellectual properties will soon be entering the public domain for everybody to use. Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain in 2024, Superman in 2034, and Batman in 2034.
But because of his Norse origins, the character actually comes from the public domain. While Thor does also exist in DC Comics, that version pales in comparison to the popularity of Marvel's iteration of the character.
Disney still maintains the rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters created after 1926, including Tigger. If Tigger or any later character is used without permission, Disney may have a valid claim for infringement.
The children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 is in the public domain. This follows the general rule that any work published before 1923 is in the public domain. The film, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland and directed in 1939 by Victor Fleming is NOT in the public domain.
In the US, Popeye is considered “work for hire” because “Segar was an employee of King Features Syndicate when he introduced Popeye into the Thimble Theatre comic strip.” This means that Popeye will enter the public domain in the US on January 1, 2025. But wait, there's more!
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.
As a direct result of Disney lobbying, in 1998 Congress overhauled the copyright system to retroactively extend everything created between 1923 and 1977 to a 95-year term. That meant Mickey Mouse is safe at Disney until 2023, while Spider-Man won't become public domain until 2057.
The current Black Knight is said to be a descendant of Sir Percy, Dane Whitman thus adding to the long line of developing stories spun from this public domain fable.
As a public domain character with an established reputation, Robin Hood was an attractive feature for comic book publishers from the birth of the medium.
That's because the 1926 storybook, titled Winnie-the-Pooh, which introduced the titular character, passed into the public domain at the start of 2022, voiding its copyright, and thus Disney's media exclusivity over the character.
How long until SpongeBob is public domain? SpongeBob was created in 1997, but his show didn't come out until 1999. SpongeBob enters the public domain in 2093.
The iconic version of the Wicked Witch is Margaret Hamilton's portrayal in the 1939 film, which is copyrighted. The character of the Wicked Witch from the book is in public domain, but that version of the Wicked Witch is not even green.
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.
Disney's competitor, Looney Tunes, will have their characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and the rest join the public domain over the course of the 2030s.
The American copyright of the novel expired on January 1, 2022, while in Austria and other countries of the European Union it entered the public domain on January 1, 2016.
Countless cherished characters have passed into public domain before, but perhaps never so abruptly and savagely as Pooh. Pooh, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Eeyore and Christopher Robin all became public domain on January 1 last year when the copyright on A.A. Milne's 1926 book, Winnie-the-Pooh, with illustrations by E.H.
Correction (3/2/2023): This article previously stated that Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown entered the public domain in 2023, which is incorrect. Both works are still protected under their original copyright.
The copyright for the original story is now in the public domain, as a classic work of literature. Not every aspect of Frankenstein is public domain, however. Different versions of the monster are subject to copyright protection.
