Disney's Copyright for Early Versions of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to Expire

Despite the upcoming expiration, Disney maintains trademarks for the characters, complicating their public use.

Disney's copyright for the earliest versions of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, as they appeared in the 1928 animated shorts 'Steamboat Willie' and 'Plane Crazy', will expire on January 1, 2024, allowing anyone to legally use these characters' likeness.
Despite the copyright expiration, Disney maintains trademarks for both Mickey and Minnie, which may complicate the use of the characters' names while using their likeness.
The U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that companies cannot use trademark law to bypass copyright laws and maintain exclusive rights to intellectual property through the use of trademarks.
Disney has stated that it will continue to protect its rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.
Tigger, a popular supporting character from Winnie-the-Pooh, will also enter the public domain on January 1, 2024, as he first appeared in a Disney-created story in 1928.