"Mickey Mouse and Classic Characters Set Sail into Public Domain in 2024"
As of January 1, 2024, the earliest versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as depicted in "Steamboat Willie" and "Plane Crazy," have entered the U.S. public domain, allowing the public to freely use these specific portrayals. This follows the expiration of copyrights for works from 1928, which was delayed by the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act. Other notable characters and works such as Tigger, "Peter Pan," and "The Mystery of the Blue Train" by Agatha Christie have also become public property. The public domain enables creative reinterpretations and uses of these works without the need for permission or payment of fees.