The Public Domain Beckons: Disney's Early Mickey Mouse Set to Enter on January 1st
The iconic Mickey Mouse has been synonymous with Disney for almost a century However, in 2024, the copyright of Disney's first Mickey film, Steamboat Willie, will expire Despite this, Disney shows no signs of relinquishing its beloved character
In a matter of days, the early version of Disney's most iconic character will enter the public domain for the first time. For almost 100 years, Mickey Mouse has been closely associated with the Walt Disney Company brand, but on January 1, 2024, Disney's copyright of "Steamboat Willie," Walt Disney's initial short film showcasing Mickey Mouse, will come to an end.
That means that one of the companys earliest iterations of its beloved rodent will become available for public use.
âSteamboat Willieâ vs. modern Mickey
"Steamboat Willie," which premiered in 1928, played a key role in propelling Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney to unprecedented levels of success. Under current US copyright law, which was last updated by Congress in 1998, copyright protection can last for up to 95 years. As a result, Disney's exclusive rights to the character are on the verge of expiration.
Mickey is not the only beloved character to enter the public domain in recent years. On January 1, 2022, the copyright on A. A. Milne's original Winnie the Pooh character also expired. This has paved the way for new creative expressions of the iconic teddy bear, including the upcoming 2023 horror film, "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey."
Could we potentially see a reimagining of Disney's iconic mouse mascot as well? Stacey Lee, a professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, suggests that it's possible, but with some important conditions. "You can take Steamboat Willie and transform him into whatever you desire," she explained.
However, the traditional Mickey Mouse is actually trademarked and is still owned by Disney. There are noticeable differences between the original 1928 Mickey and the current mascot of the company. In "Steamboat Willie", Mickey lacks the gloves and oversized shoes that he is depicted with now, and his eyes are small black ovals without pupils.
According to a Disney spokesperson speaking to CNN, the upcoming expiration of the copyright for the Steamboat Willie film will not alter the modern depiction of Mickey Mouse. "Since his debut in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse has been synonymous with Disney's narratives, adventures, and genuine merchandise. This association will remain intact even after the copyright expires," the spokesperson stated.
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Disney isnt giving up its famous mouse
" "Future iterations of Mickey Mouse will not be impacted by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, ensuring Mickey's ongoing prominence as a key representative for the Walt Disney Company across our narratives, theme park experiences, and products."
The company's trademark on later iterations of Mickey Mouse means that you won't see Mickey serving as another company's mascot either, Lee explained. "Just like the Nike Swoosh and Tiffany Blue, Disney owns Mickey," Lee said, emphasizing that it cannot be used in that recognizable way for advertising.
Despite the expiration of copyright, Lee stated that adopting Disney's famous mouse could be "a difficult task." He also warned that if Disney perceives that their brand is being diluted or tarnished, they will take legal action. However, there are some exceptions to Disney's tight control over Mickey Mouse. Lee mentioned that the more modern version of Mickey Mouse can be used for educational purposes, satire, or parody.
A Disney spokesperson told CNN that the company is committed to taking proactive measures to protect its brand. "We will continue to defend our rights in the updated versions of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works, and we will take steps to prevent confusion among consumers due to unauthorized use of Mickey and our other famous characters," the spokesperson stated.
