After almost 100 years since its debut in cinemas, Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain as the copyright for the 1928 animation “Steamboat Willie” has ended. This means people can now create remakes, spin-offs, and adaptations of the iconic character, although there might be legal challenges from Disney.
The expiration of the copyright for “Steamboat Willie” and another 1928 Disney animation, “Plane Crazy,” allows the public to copy, share, reuse, and adapt these works.
This includes early versions of beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie. But it’s important to note that later versions, like those in the 1940 film “Fantasia,” are still under copyright protection, and reproducing them could lead to legal issues with Disney.
Now, artists can freely create new versions, but there are some limits. For example, making a “climate change awareness version” of “Steamboat Willie” or a feminist retelling with Minnie in a leading role is now possible.
Similar creative reimaginings have happened with characters like Sherlock Holmes and Winnie-the-Pooh, whose copyrights have also recently expired. Despite this creative freedom, legal challenges may arise, as Disney has emphasized its commitment to protecting the rights of newer versions of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works.
