Mickey Mouse enters public domain: What it means, and what other famous characters will soon follow?

A version of Mickey Mouse from the 1928 film “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain earlier this year, and over the next decade copyright will expire on several more popular childhood characters, including Popeye the Sailor and Batman.

Copyright on a piece of work – such as a novel, a song or a film – is protected in the U.S. for seventy years after the original creator’s death or 95 years for those works created for hire or by an anonymous author or artist.

Once intellectual property (IP) enters the public domain, you might think it would be free for any author, artist or filmmaker to use in any way they see fit. But in the case of iconic childhood characters like Mickey Mouse, experts say it’s a little more complicated.

Global’s Alyssa Julie explores the public domain and why artists still need to be careful.

#GlobalNews #publicdomain #mickeymouse

[maple-leafs]

How ironic. Disney has been making a name using public domain stories and characters.

[shartazokhan]

Just means that we could see more fan made films that go straight to YouTube.

[jscorner]

So this IP stuff is the reason why Hollywood keeps on making reboots of old movies over and over or just a story rehash resulting to no originality.

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

Mickey Mouse 🐭 voice

Walt Disney (1928–1947, 1955–1962)
Carl W. Stalling (1929)
Jimmy MacDonald (1947–1978)
Wayne Allwine (1977–2009)[1]
Bret Iwan (2009–present)
Chris Diamantopoulos (2013–present)

[ThomasMaust]

Why is Wayne Allwine still dead? Bret Iwan, you should be incredibly disappointed in yourself for Mickey Mouse. Wayne Allwine himself is the one voicing Mickey Mouse for the future.

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

From Mickey Mouse 🐭 2013

Chris Diamantopoulos was cast instead of Bret Iwan, because the producers wanted a voice that sounded similar to the one used by Walt Disney for Walt's portrayal of Mickey.[6] Paul Rudish, Jenny Gase-Baker and Joseph Holt won three Emmy Awards for their work on the series in September 2013.

[hudsonfrank]

No more lawsuits from disney if you use these characters.

[LumenShade]

Can’t wait till randos on the internet start making better superman movies then DC

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

I can’t believe it’s been public domain why?

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

I mean this short film made this cartoon

[matthewst]

Good thing I got my pac man eye mickey before they lost that look

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

Mickey Mouse 🐭 1928 it’s Public Domain and Mickey Mouse 🐭 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s and 2020s it’s still copyright.

[Mitch_Kelly]

Mickey Mouse just registered as a Republican

[snitchracer]

This is narrated by an AI voice. Just listen at 0:32.

[saxonthegermanshepherd]

Walt Disney loved trains, especially german trains

[Willchannel]

The Mouse enters public domain, genres are next entering public domain.

Until Hollywood got plans with these.

[RetroWinnipeg]

3:52 Uhh…that already occurred in 2000.

[JacksonArroyo-idkx]

Mickey Mouse 🐭 voice

Walt Disney (1928–1947, 1955–1962)
Carl W. Stalling (1929)
Jimmy MacDonald (1947–1978)
Wayne Allwine (1977–2012)[1]
Bret Iwan (2009–present)
Chris Diamantopoulos (2013–present)