Understand why Disney lost the rights to Mickey Mouse and which characters can enter the public domain

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First version of the famous mouse entered the public domain. And if nothing changes, Pluto, Donald Duck and Daffy Duck could join that same list. Semana Pop explains. Semana Pop explains how Disney lost the copyright to Mickey Mouse On January 1st, 2024, among the images of gifts, fireworks and people jumping over the seven waves on the beach for good luck, another image caught our attention: that of a silhouette of Mickey being illuminated by the moon and holding a knife covered in blood. But what happened to that friendly little mouse that everyone knows and who opens his little house at Disney so people can be happy? Disney no longer has the right to it and the mouse has entered the public domain list. And soon after the announcement, films transforming Mickey into terrifying versions were announced. Understand everything about Mickey Mouse’s copyright-free Disney: The evolution of ‘Mickey Mouse’ Robyn Beck/AFP Public Domain To begin with, what is public domain? It is the term used for all creative works that do not have exclusive rights and the protection of intellectual property law. These rights, after a while, may become available through waiver or withdrawal by the creator. Or, at the end of the period prescribed by law — as was the case with Mickey. Disney has had the copyright to the mouse since 1928, when his first film, “The Steamboat”, premiered. However, in the United States, American laws for books and films establish that titles produced before 1978 are protected by copyright for 95 years. Which is the case with Mickey’s debut film. Therefore, now, on the first day of the year, Disney lost the copyright to the work and that almost century-old Mickey became available for a new life. As with any work that is left without rights, anyone can copy, share, reuse or adapt the original project without needing permission from its creator. It’s just Mickey from the “steamboat” Mickey Mouse in the film “The Steamboat” Reproduction There is an important point in this whole story: just that Mickey Mouse, in black and white, from 1928, which is almost the draft of this Mickey that we know today, which enters the public domain list. He and the film “The Steamboat”. All other versions of the famous mouse remain under the control of Disney, including the one dressed as a magician and which illustrated the 1940 film “Fantasia”. Disney even said that “it will continue to protect (its) rights over the more modern versions Mickey Mouse and other works that are still subject to copyright.” And if they don’t carry out this battle they are promising, other characters could suffer the same fate as little Mickey over the next few years. Following the rule of current American copyright law, the next animated characters to take this risk are: Pluto, in 2026, Donald Duck, in 2030, and Daffy Duck, in 2033. When we talk about Disney princesses, they They would still have a little more time of protection. If nothing changes, the first person who could lose the rights is Snow White, in 2032, as the character had her first film in 1937. Terrifying animations Have you ever imagined Snow White killing the seven dwarfs? One by one, without any mercy? It sounds crazy, but this could happen if you follow the Mickey and Winnie the Pooh line. Because Mickey wasn’t the first character to go through this, let’s say, challenge. In 2022, Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain. And soon he got a horror film, “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey”. And in it, that famous cuddly and silly teddy bear took on the appearance of a murderous monster. The film, which didn’t do that well in theaters, will get a sequel in February of this year. “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” premieres this Thursday (9) Reproduction/Trailler Following the same line, people who are Mickey fans — or haters, we don’t know yet — also announced at least two horror films with the little mouse. The guys wasted no time and the projects were announced on the same day as the loss of rights. That black and white Mickey will gain terrifying versions. In one of the films, during a birthday party, a killer appears dressed as Mickey and holding a knife. The trailer even shows that the film will feature scenes from the original film. In another, he will transform into a sadistic rat who torments passengers on a ferry. But in the film, that mouse won’t be called Mickey Mouse. This choice is for legal reasons, of course. Horror film announced after Mickey Mouse enters the public domain

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