January 1st Might Be a SCARY Day for Disney Fans

Can you imagine a world where Mickey Mouse isn’t a Disney character? We may or may not see this happen.

Hey, Mickey!

In all seriousness, Mickey has been the face of the Walt Disney Company for well over 90 years, since 1928, but come January 1st, 2024, Disney will be facing something that they’ve never faced before — Mickey Mouse will be entering the public domain. Before we go off into the deep end, let’s be clear, not all versions of Mickey will be going to the public domain. So, let’s break it all down.

January 1st, 2024 (Mickey will belong to you and me)

Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and just say it plainly. Mickey Mouse, the version as seen in Steamboat Willie, will be entering into the public domain on January 1st, 2024. What we’re talking about has to do with copyright laws and just so we’re on the same page, know that copyright law provides individuals (or companies) with exclusive rights over creative works — this includes fictional characters that are original and fixed in a tangible medium. As long as the copyright protection lasts, the owner has the exclusive ability to use and distribute their work. Once the copyright expires, the work goes into the public domain. At that point, anyone can use that work however they want to. All of this means that you and I will “kind of” become owners of Mickey Mouse on January 1st.

Steamboat Willie ©Disney

That date is, understandably, a day that many Disney fans are scared about. You have to be thinking of questions like, “Will Disney be retiring Mickey?” Don’t worry. Mickey’s not going anywhere. Disney will NOT be retiring Mickey Mouse in 2024. There is no credible information to suggest that Disney will be doing anything of the sort, and all the rumors suggesting it are fake.

©Disney

Again, only “Steamboat Willie, “The Barn Dance,” and the original design of Mickey Mouse will move into the public domain in terms of copyright law. (As each year passes, more films starring Mickey will enter the public domain.) Once 2024 comes, Disney won’t have any copyright protection for those original films and Mickey’s original version, but will still own later designs and trademarks. In fact, Disney went on to say, “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.” Disney’s statement also said it “will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.”

©AP

So, while you might be able to create a Mickey toy (featuring that original version of Mickey) on your own without any approval or authorization from Disney in 2024 when Mickey hits the public domain, your toy couldn’t feature Mickey’s signature white gloves until 2025. But rest easy knowing that Modern Mickey looks very different from Steamboat Mickey.

Mickey Isn’t Going Anywhere

As we said, Mickey Mouse has been the face of Disney for nearly a century, so while the copyright for the original “Steamboat Willie” version might change in 2024, it doesn’t threaten Mickey’s existence. Disney owns the rights to multiple versions of Mickey, each with its unique characteristics and stories, and these versions are still under copyright protection. From the cheerful and animated mouse we all know today, to his early black-and-white incarnation, they all contribute to the rich Disney history.

©Disney

We can rest assured knowing that Mickey isn’t going anywhere.

It sure will be interesting to see how Disney plans to navigate “public domain Mickey.” We’ll definitely be following along with the situation as we get closer to Disney not owning — at least partially — Mickey Mouse anymore. Stay tuned to stay in the loop on what happens.

Is Disney “Retiring” Mickey Mouse?

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