A big change is coming on January 1st (and Disney will tremble)

A big change is coming on January 1st (and Disney will tremble)



A famous character who will soon be usable by everyone

Every year the works enter what we call the “public domain”. In intellectual property law, the public domain designates all works of mind and knowledge whose use is not or is no longer restricted by law. In other words, after a certain period of time, which varies depending on the legislation of the countries in which the work was created, the exploitation of a work is no longer limited by the rights holders. Everyone is like that free to use a work as he wishesfor commercial purposes or not, once the protection period has expired.

Winnie the Pooh - Blood and Honey
Winnie the Pooh – Blood and Honey ©Altitude Film Distribution

In France, the rule is that a work enters the public domain 70 years after the death of its author. In the United States the rule is different, since a 95 year protection period opens with the first publication or appearance of the work. For example, Winnie the Poohcreated in 1926, it has no longer been protected since 2022, which allowed the production of the horror movie Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.

Thus, in 2024 in the United States, the creations of the year 1928 enter the public domain and are therefore freely and freely available to any creator. And which one was created in 1928 in the United States? The one and only, the world famous baby mouse.

Disney will shudder

In the Disney universe, the family universe par excellence, Mickey Mouse occupies a prominent place, and is the ambassadorial character of the Walt Disney Company created in 1923. Mickey Mouse is everywhere : in films and animated series, in amusement parks and toy aisles. Jealously protected and preserved by Disney, which has obviously prevented any deviation from its emblematic character until now.

Comics about air pirates
Air Pirate Comics ©Dan O’Neill

In 1971, comic book author Dan O’Neill attempted a parody of the character in his comic. Funny air pirates, where Mickey appeared as a drug dealer and had a sexual relationship with Minnie. Disney sued him in a sensational trial in which Dan O’Neill was convicted Never draw Mickey Mouse againunder penalty of having to pay a large fine and spend a year in prison for each drawing of the character he made.

Therefore, from January 1st, Disney will no longer have exclusivity on the Mickey Mouse short film Willie’s steamboat – subsequent versions will still be protected -, and he will therefore have to agree to leave his creation to other creators.

Source: Cine Serie

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