Overview

• Mickey Mouse, in his earliest form as seen in the 1928 short 'Steamboat Willie', will enter the public domain in 2024.
• The copyright expiration only applies to the specific version of Mickey Mouse featured in 'Steamboat Willie', not more modern versions.
• Disney will continue to hold a trademark on Mickey Mouse as a corporate mascot and brand identifier.
• Other properties entering the U.S. public domain in 2024 include Charlie Chaplin’s film 'Circus', Virginia Woolf’s novel 'Orlando', and Bertolt Brecht’s musical play 'The Threepenny Opera'.
• Disney has stated it will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and their other iconic characters.