As of January 1, 2024, the Mickey Mouse character, in its original version, will no longer be protected by U.S. copyright. It is a date that should have initially arrived in 1984, but that Disney fought as much as possible to prolong it and surround it with safeguards.

Is Disney set to lose iconic Mickey Mouse character in 2024?

Walt Disney's iconic character Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain after its 95-year-old copyright expired on the last day of 2023. Images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse from the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie became available for public use in the US on Jan 1, 2024.

What will be public domain in 2024?

January 1, 2024 is Public Domain Day: Works from 1928 are open to all, as are sound recordings from 1923! On January 1, 2024, thousands of copyrighted works from 1928 will enter the US public domain, along with sound recordings from 1923. They will be free for all to copy, share, and build upon.

Is Disney losing copyright to Steamboat Willie?

In 1998, Disney once again successfully lobbied along with other entertainment companies to extend copyright protections to life of the author plus 70 years for a maximum of 95 years. But in January 2024, the copyright on Steamboat Willie officially expired, and Mickey Mouse is now officially in the public domain.

What Disney character is in the public domain in 2024?

The earliest incarnation of Mickey Mouse as well as Minnie Mouse entered the public domain in 2024. The most notable media featuring these characters is Steamboat Willie, but both The Gallopin' Gaucho and the silent version of Plane Crazy also entered the public domain that year.

Disney loses famous Mickey Mouse copyright in 2024, along with many others

Is Bugs Bunny in public domain?

Copyright status

Under current US copyright law, Bugs Bunny is due to enter the public domain in between 2034 and 2036. However, this will only apply (at first) to the character's depiction as Happy Rabbit in Porky's Hare Hunt which was published in 1938 (which will enter the US public domain in 2034).

Is Tigger in the public domain?

Tigger has joined his pal Pooh Bear in the land of public domain. The character first appeared in "The House at Pooh Corner," whose copyright expired Monday.

Can Disney renew Mickey Mouse copyright?

No, Disney cannot renew the copyright for Mickey Mouse.

Did Disney lose copyright for Winnie the Pooh?

On Jan. 1, 2022, numerous works entered the public domain, including A.A. Milne's original Winnie-the Pooh stories. Although Disney's version of Pooh is protected by copyright, the company no longer exclusively owns the rights to Winnie the Pooh.

Is Minnie Mouse public domain?

On January 1, 2024, Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, meaning the original versions of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are now available for public use, subject to certain limitations. With Disney's lobbying efforts, Congress passed the Copyright Act of 1976, which displaced the Copyright Act of 1909.

Is Alice in Wonderland public domain?

The book has inspired numerous film and television adaptations which have multiplied as the original work is now in the public domain in all jurisdictions.

What trademarks are expiring in 2024?

Disney loses famous Mickey Mouse trademark in 2024, along with many others. Copyright protections on many well-known books, films and musical compositions are set to expire in 2024. Disney's Mickey Mouse is getting a lot of attention as one famous iteration of the classic mouse is set to enter the public domain.

Will Batman enter public domain?

The DC characters are the next major expirations looming on the horizon. Superman and Lois Lane will enter the public domain in 2034, followed by Batman in 2035, the Joker in 2036 and Wonder Woman in 2037.

Is Disney Jr. gone?

The channel ended carriage on August 31, 2023 as Disney and Spectrum were in dispute for several days, before coming to agreement on September 11 to restore Disney's networks to their service while removing several others, including Disney Junior.

What will happen to Disney in 2024?

And starting January 9, 2024, guests will see even more changes: All-day Park Hopper access during park hours. No theme park reservations required for date-based tickets. Return of Disney dining plans for Disney Resort hotel guests as part of a package.

What will happen when Disney loses exclusive rights to Mickey Mouse in 2024?

Disney lose Mickey Mouse exclusivity

Specifically, this means that now anyone can create their own version of these short films and, above all, most importantly, take one of their characters, Mickey Mouse, or Minnie Mouse, as many animated film artists did in 2013, under the leadership of Disney itself.

What character did Disney lose the rights to?

According to US copyright law, the rights for a character expire 95 years after the publication of the original work. With Steamboat Willie debuting in 1928, January 2024 marked the expiration date for the short and Disney lost with Mickey Mouse copyright.

Is Eeyore copyrighted?

In addition to Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore have already been released into the public domain.

Can Disney still use Winnie-the-Pooh?

By 2022, the original Winnie-the-Pooh book entered into the public domain in the United States, since it had been 95 years since the story was first published. While Disney retains certain rights to their derivative works, the company no longer holds exclusive rights to the characters in the US.

Is Donald Duck public domain?

After that, Donald Duck will enter the public domain in 2030, when the copyright expires on his first cartoon from 1934, “The Wise Little Hen.” As more and more Disney characters enter the public domain in the coming years, creators must still be sure to avoid running afoul (afowl for Donald!) of Disney's other ...

Is Snow White public domain?

The original Snow White: A public domain treasure

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm included it in their first edition of "Grimms' Fairy Tales," and it has since become one of the most famous fairy tales globally. This version, titled "Schneewittchen" in German, is now in the public domain due to its age.

What is the 95 year copyright law?

For anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire, the copyright term is 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever comes first. When the copyright term expires, a work becomes part of the public domain, and anyone can use it without permission from the author.

Is Pooh now public domain?

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 is Bambi public domain?

Disney argued that because Salten's original 1923 publication of the novel did not include a copyright notice, by American law it was immediately considered a public domain work. It also argued that as the novel was published in 1923, Anna Wyler's 1954 renewal occurred after the deadline and was invalid.

Is House at Pooh Corner in public domain?

The House at Pooh Corner entered the public domain in the United States in 2024. British copyright of the text expires on 1 January 2027 (70 calendar years after Milne's death) while British copyright of the illustrations expires on 1 January 2047 (70 calendar years after Shepard's death).