"Mickey Mouse's Public Domain Entry Sparks Copyright Debates and New Creative Horizons"

YouTube demonetized and restricted a video by voice actor Brock Baker, which featured the public domain 1928 Disney cartoon "Steamboat Willie" with his own voiceover. Despite "Steamboat Willie" entering the public domain on January 1, 2024, which should allow for free use and monetization, the video was likely flagged by YouTube's automated Content ID system that hadn't been updated to reflect the work's new public domain status. Legal experts confirm that Baker's use of the cartoon should be legitimate, and the situation highlights the need for platforms to adjust their copyright enforcement mechanisms to accommodate public domain works. Mashable has reached out to YouTube for comment and will update on the status of Baker's video.