The Countdown Begins: Mickey Mouse's Copyright Control Nearing its End

Mickey Mouse's first screen release, the 1928 short film "Steamboat Willie," featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, will enter the public domain in 2024, along with the book "The House at Pooh Corner," introducing Tigger. While the expiration of the copyright allows current artists and creators to make use of the original Mickey Mouse character, Disney still holds a trademark on Mickey as a corporate mascot and brand identifier. The public domain status of these iconic characters raises questions about what aspects of the characters are copyrightable and what falls under Disney's ownership. Other works, including Charlie Chaplin's film "Circus" and Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando," will also enter the public domain in 2024.