Mickey Mouse’s IP future revealed as public domain date looms | Planet Attractions
Mickey Mouse’s IP future revealed as public domain date looms
Following news that Mickey Mouse - the mascot of Disney and an icon of the entertainment giant’s theme parks - could soon follow in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh and become public domain in 2024, the future of the mouse’s likeness has been revealed, and it’s good news for Disney.
| 26 Jul 2022
Following news that Mickey Mouse - the mascot of Disney and an icon of the entertainment giant’s theme parks - could soon follow in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh and become public domain in 2024, the future of the mouse’s likeness has been revealed, and it’s good news for Disney.
Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain in the year 2024, almost 95 years after his creation on 1 October 1928 – the length of time after which the copyright on an anonymous or pseudo-anonymous body of artistic work expires.
However, the timeline isn’t quite as clear cut, with the original iteration of Mickey - Steamboat Willie - being the only one to be affected. Disney will retain its copyright on any subsequent variations in other films or artwork until they reach the 95-year mark.
"Mickey Mouse as we know him, in colour with gloves and shoes, will not enter the public domain," lawyer Marc Jonas Block told Newsweek. "Later, including current designs of Mickey Mouse, will still be copyrighted until their terms end. Also, Disney protects Mickey Mouse under both copyright and trademark laws."
So Mickey is safe for the time being, unlike Winnie the Pooh, who will now be the star of a new horror movie: Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.
Mickey Mouse’s IP future revealed as public domain date looms | Planet Attractions
Mickey Mouse’s IP future revealed as public domain date looms
Following news that Mickey Mouse - the mascot of Disney and an icon of the entertainment giant’s theme parks - could soon follow in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh and become public domain in 2024, the future of the mouse’s likeness has been revealed, and it’s good news for Disney.
| 26 Jul 2022
Following news that Mickey Mouse - the mascot of Disney and an icon of the entertainment giant’s theme parks - could soon follow in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh and become public domain in 2024, the future of the mouse’s likeness has been revealed, and it’s good news for Disney.
Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain in the year 2024, almost 95 years after his creation on 1 October 1928 – the length of time after which the copyright on an anonymous or pseudo-anonymous body of artistic work expires.
However, the timeline isn’t quite as clear cut, with the original iteration of Mickey - Steamboat Willie - being the only one to be affected. Disney will retain its copyright on any subsequent variations in other films or artwork until they reach the 95-year mark.
"Mickey Mouse as we know him, in colour with gloves and shoes, will not enter the public domain," lawyer Marc Jonas Block told Newsweek. "Later, including current designs of Mickey Mouse, will still be copyrighted until their terms end. Also, Disney protects Mickey Mouse under both copyright and trademark laws."
So Mickey is safe for the time being, unlike Winnie the Pooh, who will now be the star of a new horror movie: Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.
