Mickey & Minnie Mouse is now out of copyright! No more legal debates for birthday cakes or DIY costumes. Get creative and celebrate with a personal touch.
Released in 1928, Steamboat Willie marked Disney's turning point, with Mickey & Minnie entering the public domain on January 1, 2024.
Creative minds can now freely use early Mickey & Minnie images without permission or cost, promoting artistic reimagining.
The 95-year copyright expiration under US law means Steamboat Willie's characters can be shared, performed, and sampled legally.
Not only Mickey and Minnie, but also iconic works like Charlie Chaplin's The Circus and AA Milne's The House at Pooh Corner.
It struggles to keep control of its original cartoons, leading to copyright extensions in 1984 and 2004, entering the public domain.
Jennifer Jenkins, the VP of Walt Disney, acknowledges the important symbolic meaning of the characters entering the public domain.
While copyrights expire, Disney maintains trademarks on Mickey, limiting the use of images that might create confusion about the source.
As Mickey enters public domain, creators can make unique adaptations, but Disney's trademark use aims to stop unauthorised commercial use.
Disney still controls Mickey's modern versions post-copyright, securing his role and protecting against misuse.