It’s 2025, and Steamboat Willie, the version of Mickey Mouse created by Walt Disney, has entered the public domain. Disney’s lawyers, of course, aren’t breaking a sweat. While the original, kind-of-pie-eyed, black-and-white Mickey is now free game, the modern, gloved mascot remains locked behind trademark protection. Use him in a way that even hints at Disney, and you’ll find yourself in a legal battle faster than you can say “Oh boy!”
This still signifies a chink in Disney’s iron rule over the Mouse. Makers can now take the original Mickey and do as they will—be that satire, reinvention, or outright absurdity. This foray into the public domain is likely to become a real headache for Disney. But it’s a giddy moment for everyone else—a moment when the corporate icon that is Mickey Mouse has slipped through the cracks to become, once again, a part of the public’s imagination.
The Public Domain Countdown: Iconic Characters Breaking Free
Iconic characters will step out of their corporate cages and into the public domain. After nearly a century of protection, figures closely associated with some of the most cherished and influential stories in American culture will be able to be used, adapted, and reimagined in new and wonderful ways. There will be no licensing fees, and thus, no permission, needed to do any of that. What exactly will this look like? And what does it mean for American culture? Here’s what we know.
The Basics of Public Domain
When a creative work enters the public domain, it means that the copyright protection that once gave its owner exclusive rights has run out. In the United States, copyright generally lasts for 70 years after the author’s death or 95 years from the date of publication, depending on the circumstances. Once that timer runs out, the creative work belongs to everyone. Anyone can use it without permission, whether to tell new stories, sell new goods, or produce new versions of the original.
This liberty is both exhilarating and risky. On one hand, it unleashes a torrent of creativity. On the other, it opens the door to exploitation, adaptations of questionable quality, and, let’s face it, some truly strange internet memes.
Who’s Up Next?
The floodgates cracked open in 2022 when Winnie the Pooh became public property. That cuddly bear of little brain didn’t even have time to settle into his new role as an icon of the public sphere before he was transformed into the sort of lead character you find in a low-budget horror movie—Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. It’s a slightly unsettling and very bizarre example of our culture’s all-but-unlimited ability to repurpose familiar figures.
In 2024, it will be the turn of Mickey Mouse to follow suit—or at least the original version of Steamboat Willie. This early Mickey is far less sophisticated than the modern, gloved, and polished figure we recognize today, which won’t become fully available for public use until 2037. Still, it’s a big deal. Corporations guard their IP like they guard Fort Knox, and Mickey is Disney’s most potent symbol. Expect a lot of indie filmmakers and small creators to take their swing at the Mouse once he becomes available.
In 2025, there will be some new characters in the public domain. Among them will be the spinach-guzzling sailor, Popeye, and Pluto, the eternally loyal dog who serves as a sidekick to so many Disney heroes. Popeye appears poised for a future that could see him as much in evidence as our other public domain pals, whether in the ad campaigns where spinach could perhaps receive a second life or in the panels of comics where Popeye surely hasn’t seen his last punch.
A 2030s Cultural Shift
The true excitement begins in the 2030s when major celebrated heroes and cultural icons enter the public domain. Superman—the original caped crusader—flies in first, entering the public domain in 2031. His entrance is momentous. Superman is more than just a character; he’s a nearly ubiquitous symbol of justice and hope. For decades, his stories have been at least pro forma controlled by corporate studios. With his entrance into the public domain, formal control will disappear—though we might expect some mix of cash grab and tryout stories to fill the gap between now and the next truly innovative take on the character.
In 2034, Gotham City opens its doors to everyone. This is the moment when Batman and The Joker follow. Ripe for reinterpretation, Batman’s noir detective roots and The Joker’s chaotic villainy could also lead to oversaturation. And for every thoughtful indie project, there will likely be a dozen rushed, low-quality spinoffs.
By the mid-2030s, some major characters like Wonder Woman, Captain America, and Bugs Bunny will also have moved to the public domain. These stalwarts of storytelling—not just comic book storytelling—have been around for generations. Their entry into the public domain will likely change their association almost entirely. With those three characters alone, you could make a museum exhibit that could possibly never be seen again anywhere. Will Bugs Bunny maintain his charm, or will he tout strange new products?
A New Era of Storytelling
Year after year, the public domain timeline reconfigures the ways in which we interact with iconic figures. Certain ones will thrive in their liberality, serving as springboards for fresh and fascinating iterations. Others will be beaten down until they’re unrecognizable, as money men seek to wring every possible dollar out of characters who, um, aren’t under copyright anymore. But that’s the nature of this business—it’s sometimes delightful, sometimes detestable, and often both at once.
The public domain is about making storytelling a democratized process. These figures have occupied a place in our shared culture for almost 100 years now. Henceforth, they’ll be a story told by all of us. What will we do with them, if anything? That part’s up to each of us.
What Does This Mean for Disney and The Mouse?
Should Mickey Mouse ever go public, it will not be knocking Disney off its throne anytime soon. But it could put a dent in their unyielding grip on one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. Even with trademarks to protect their empire, Disney would find the landscape very different if Mickey were public property. Creators across the spectrum—artists, filmmakers, and others—would have unprecedented freedom to reinterpret, remix, and reuse early versions of the character.
This moment symbolizes more than simply reaching a legal landmark; it’s more a cultural one. Characters now being recreated under this new U.S. law have been “part of our shared imagination for generations.” They’re “part of our cultural DNA.” That makes the U.S. decisions all the more important for Disney. They’re not just “for creators” and “for everyone else” watching the fascinating collision of art, commerce, and the law. They’re vital for the corporation trying to defend a new way of life in a new Artistic Age.
What This Means for Creators and Fans
These figures entering the public domain represents a monumental cultural change. For so long, corporations have held such tight control over these icons, presenting them in specious ways that serve corporate interests and no one else. Once controlled by the public, that disappears.
This is a golden opportunity for creators. Small studios, artists, and filmmakers will have access to some of the most iconic characters in history. They can create with the confidence of no litigation or licensing fees, leading to—and I’m very much hoping—an explosion of new ideas.
For supporters, it’s a mixture of good and bad. On the one hand, it’s exciting to think about fresh, imaginative interpretations of these cherished figures. On the other, there’s the danger of pushing things too far. Not every endeavor will have the same reverential attitude that the character deserves, and the internet’s need for ever more content could result in some pretty bizarre outcomes.
