The first-ever Mickey Mouse is no longer owned by Disney
The very first version of Mickey Mouse, featured in Walt Disney Co.’s 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, entered a new era as it entered the public domain for the first time yesterday (Jan. 1).
This significant development comes as a result of US copyright law, which allows copyright to be held for just 95 years. As a result, Disney’s exclusive claim to the beloved character has officially expired. Not only can people now freely share, adapt, or remix Mickey Mouse, but they can also do the same with all the characters featured in Steamboat Willie, including the earliest rendition of Minnie Mouse.
However, it is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and avoid misleading others into thinking their reproductions are somehow associated with Disney. Additionally, they are restricted from using any newer versions of the character in their creations.
While the expiration of the copyright affects the original version of Mickey Mouse, Disney reassures fans that the more modern iterations of the character will remain unaffected. A Disney spokesperson affirmed that Mickey will continue to hold a leading role as a global ambassador for the company in various forms of storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.
The earliest depiction of the iconic character, which has served as the entertainment giant’s mascot for a significant portion of the past century, differs from its present portrayal. The original black-and-white Mickey did not wear gloves or oversized shoes, and his eyes were small ovals without pupils. These distinctive features came into existence when Mickey donned gloves in 1929 and was later colorized in 1935.
Disney’s efforts to protect its copyrighted assets began with the release of Steamboat Willie in 1928. Initially, the company’s copyright was set to expire in 56 years, in 1984. However, Disney vigorously fought to amend the existing legislation, which had already been modified in 1909. In 1976, the US Congress extended the timeline for works copyrighted by organizations to 75 years, effectively safeguarding Mickey and his beloved co-stars until 2003. Then, in 1998, the Copyright Extension Act granted an additional 20-year extension, ensuring protection for a total of 95 years.
The fierce lobbying by Disney led the legislation to be given a rather fitting nickname – the Mickey Mouse Protection Act. Subsequently, little has changed since then, with the company zealously preserving its copyrighted assets over the years, often resorting to litigation to maintain its exclusive rights.
However, Disney’s success and growth can be partially attributed to works that are in the public domain. Numerous iconic characters, such as Sherlock Holmes, Winnie the Pooh, and Snow White, are already part of the public domain. In the coming years, additional famous books, plays, movies, and musical compositions will join Mickey’s debut film in losing copyright protection. This will result in characters like Tigger from the Winnie-the-Pooh series becoming fair game.
A.A. Milne’s book, Winnie-the-Pooh, will become public property in 2022, paving the way for the honey-obsessed bear to be reimagined as an ax-wielding protagonist in a slasher film released in 2023. This creative adaptation will also make one of Pooh’s friends, Piglet, eligible for inclusion in any potential sequel, including Tigger.
Disney’s reliance on the public domain is evident. For instance, Frozen drew inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, while The Lion King incorporated elements from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, biblical stories, and possibly an epic poem about the founder of the Mali Empire. Fantasia showcased a section titled The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, derived from a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and other segments featured public domain classical music. Moreover, beloved films such as Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Pinocchio all originated from stories written by renowned authors like Lewis Carroll, The Brothers Grimm, Victor Hugo, Charles Perrault, Hans Christian Anderson, and Carlo Collodi.
As the public domain continues to expand, it will undoubtedly give rise to countless new and creative adaptations of beloved characters that have become part of our cultural fabric. The legacy of Mickey Mouse as Disney’s beloved mascot may now be freely reimagined, while the company will undoubtedly continue its remarkable storytelling legacy through new iterations of the character.
With Mickey Mouse paving the way, other cherished characters and their stories are set to follow suit, as numerous high-profile works are slated to lose their copyright protection, inviting imaginative minds to explore, reinterpret, and retell stories that have captured our hearts and imaginations for generations to come.
