On January 1 next year, Disney will lose the copyright to the Mickey Mouse character known in cartoons and films, and the media giant’s mascot will enter the public domain.
Many observers previously assumed that, due to pressure, Disney might not lose the royalties to Mickey Mouse. However, that time will come on January 1, 2024. However, Disney will only lose the copyright to the original Mickey Mouse, the Times reported.
We are talking about Mickey Mouse, who could be seen in the 1928 cartoon “Steamboat Willie”. This film changed the fate of the media company and the entire film industry.
In the United States, copyright lasts for 95 years, after which a creative work enters the public domain, meaning it is no longer under the exclusive control of the copyright holder. Anyone can use it without obtaining permission or purchasing a right. The user can customize the work and earn money from it.
“It’s a big deal. It’s generating a lot of excitement in the copyright community,” said Jennifer Jenkins, an expert at Duke University.
Disney has confirmed that it will lose the copyright to Mickey Mouse, but modern versions of the character are still owned by the media giant.
“The copyright expiration of Steamboat Willie does not affect modern versions of Mickey Mouse. Mickey continues to play a prominent role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company. Of course, we will continue to protect our rights for more modern versions which remain protected from copyright,” Disney said.
Observers are now watching with interest what the future fate of Mickey Mouse will be.
Recently, Disney lost the copyright to Winnie the Pooh, and a horror film was made about the hero known from children’s books. Pooh became a serial killer who began terrorizing Christopher Robin
2023-12-28 13:10:00
disney-loses-copyright-to-mickey-mouse-foreign-country