The first version of Mickey Mouse is about to enter the public domain

The copyright of the Disney mascot expires on January 1, 2024. Well, more precisely those of its very first appearances… Explanations.

After 95 years, the copyrights that protect Disney short films Steamboat Willie And Plane Crazythe first two films featuring Mickey Mouse in 1928, will expire on January 1, 2024. The little mouse from the beginning of the studio’s history will therefore enter the public domain and may be the subject of free adaptations and diversions, explains The French Film.

Jennifer Jenkins, the public domain scholar at Duke University, suggests that artists will now be able to “version to raise awareness of climate change of Willie’s Steamboat, in which the ship runs aground on the bed of a dry river, or a feminist version in which Minnie would hold the helm”.

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However, it is important to clarify that only this version of Mickey is in the public domain. The contemporary Mickey in red overalls and white gloves is still under Disney protection so you can already forget your ideas of wacky remakes and wait… another 80 years.

On the other hand, it’s time to have fun with the Mickey of Steamboat Willie. The short film has become the intro jingle for a large number of Disney films, with the famous melody whistled by Mickey at the helm of his steamboat. Now that fans can have fun with it, maybe they’ll start by making him sing something else?

Oswald the lucky rabbit, the first character created by Walt Disney