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Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jan 1, 2024 9:08 PM UTC
Question

Disney Lost the Mice Today

On Jan 1, 2024, copyright to Disney's legendary Mickey & Minnie Mouse cartoon characters expired. They are in the public domain now.  See below for more details.

 

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    10 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 3, 2024 12:39 AM UTC

    They didn't waste any time!  This slasher movie trailor dropped the same day Mickey went public domain.

     

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    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    PaintedKitty
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 3, 2024 4:29 AM UTC

    Goodness! Who watches that trashy stuff?  But I guess one mans' trash is another person's meal for the eyes. 😝

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    John T Smith
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 2, 2024 6:58 PM UTC

    Per Google search... Mickey Mouse's first appearance was in the 1928 short film 'Steamboat Willie

     

    Disney disn't lose anything, the copyright simply timed out and ended

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    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 2, 2024 8:31 PM UTC

    I'm sure Disney's not celebrating.

     

    Mickey and Minnie were originally scheduled to enter the public domain in 2004 — the customary 75 year mark.  However it was so important for Disney to retain copyright, they fought tooth & nail for a 20 year extension from Congress.  But that's as far as they could take it.

     

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    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Abambo
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Jan 4, 2024 10:29 AM UTC

    Disney didn't seek a prolongation. They once got one for an additional 20 years, for most work that would be enough, but for someone like Disney, that is like a dying cash cow…

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    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer