"Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain, Altering the Fate of Classic Characters"

Mickey Mouse, along with other notable works, has entered the public domain in the US as of January 1st, 2024. This includes the original versions from Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy. While there are still complexities due to Disney's trademark and later design changes, this move allows for new creative uses of the character and other works from 1923 and 1928 that are now free to use. The Duke Law School’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain has highlighted this milestone, which also includes other significant works like D.H. Lawrence’s "Lady Chatterley’s Lover" and Virginia Woolf’s "Orlando." Despite the complexities, this shift is celebrated by public domain advocates and opens up opportunities for creative reinterpretations and preservations.