Is Minnie Mouse Eligible for Public Domain?

There has been a considerable amount of recent discussion surrounding Disney's Mickey Mouse and its entry into the public domain, but what about Minnie Mouse? If you've been hearing "public domain" mentioned frequently, it's because Disney, a major player, has entered the conversation.

Since the creation of Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie in the 1920s, the public now has the opportunity to create their own stories featuring the iconic mouse. However, there are certain limitations that we will discuss here. As a result, there is already a Mickey horror movie in development. But what about another significant Disney character? Mickey wasn't the only mouse in Steamboat Willie, so what about Minnie Mouse?

Is Minnie Mouse in the public domain?

Yes, as of January 1, 2024, Minnie Mouse is now in the public domain – however, like with Mickey Mouse, there is still some legal fine print.

The version of Minnie Mouse that appeared in the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, like Mickey Mouse, is now in the public domain in the U.S. This means that she can be legally shared and used in creative works without permission or fees. However, Disney still owns the rights to later iterations of the characters that we are most familiar with, and the laws regarding public domain and copyright may differ by country. Therefore, caution should be exercised when considering making a new Minnie Mouse movie.

The works including Steamboat Willie that were published in 1928 were initially set to become public domain in 2004. However, after lobbying from Disney and other copyright holders, the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, granting an additional 20 years of copyright protection.

Steamboat Willie continues to be available for streaming on Disney+ and remains under the Disney copyright.

Other Disney characters that will enter the public domain in 2024 include Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan theatrical play. While the specific Disney versions are not in the public domain, it is likely that new projects featuring these characters will bear some similarities. For more Disney content, visit our website, and learn about Mickey and Minnie Mouse entering public domain.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Disney, I am thrilled to hear that Minnie Mouse is finally entering the public domain in 2024. This means that creators will have the opportunity to create their own stories and interpretations of the beloved character, which could lead to some exciting and innovative new works. I can't wait to see what creative minds come up with!

However, I also understand that Disney still owns the rights to later iterations of Minnie Mouse, and I respect their intellectual property. It's important to strike a balance between allowing new creativity and respecting the original creators' rights. I hope that creators will be mindful of this and find ways to pay homage to the original while also bringing their own unique perspectives to the character.