Mickey, Minnie Mouse enter public domain on January 1

The first ever Mickey and Minnie Mouse, created by Walt Disney, will enter the public domain on January 1 as its 95-year copyright law—often referred to as the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act”—expires.

Artists and creators could use the character but with major limitations. 

To know
The rat-like Mickey and Minnie Mouse featured in the 1928 Steamboat Willie movie will enter the public domain and can be used freely.

Disney maintains the trademark rights over Mickey’s modern iterations.

Not alone
According to the Duke Center for the Study of the Public Domain, other characters joining Mickey in the public domain next year are Lady Chatterley’s Lover novel by D.H Lawrence and The Circus movie directed by Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando and Bertolt Brecht’s musical play The Threepenny Opera.

The expiring rights have become a focal point of discussion among copyright experts. Few are excited about the creative possibilities that would open up.