In what is sure to become an annual tradition now, more Disney titles have entered the public domain. This started last year with the entry of Steamboat Willie into the public domain. This year, more Mickey Mouse shorts and also The Skeleton Dance entered the public domain. It should be noted that only this specific version of Mickey Mouse is in the public domain. The Walt Disney Company has also stated it is still going to protect its property.
Public Domain
The reason this version of Mickey Mouse will be entering the public domain is because of a law passed by Congress in 1998. This law states that a copyright can be upheld for 95 years. For this reason, the original version of Mickey Mouse’s copyright ended last year. There are still other protections in place though. Disney still holds the trademark for Mickey Mouse. A trademark can conceivably last forever if it is put to use and renewed on time.
Even if the trademark on the original iteration of Mickey Mouse did not protect that version, later trademarks most likely would. This would mean that another company or entity would not be able to use his likeness to advertise or make money by making consumers think it is Disney’s version of the character. It could go much further than that and Disney could potentially sue anyone that they see diluting or hurting the Mickey Mouse brand. Disney confirmed that they would be proactive in protecting Mickey Mouse.
Disney said, “Ever since Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in the 1928 short film ‘Steamboat Willie,’ people have associated the character with Disney’s stories, experiences, and authentic products. That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires.”
What has changed is that a horror movie was made in the last year that more or less resembles Mickey Mouse. NFTs have also been sold.
The statement concluded with, “More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.”
Mickey Mouse Cartoons
As of January 1, 2025, the following Mickey Mouse cartoons entered the public domain:
- The Barn Dance
- The Barnyard Battle
- Jungle Rhythm
- Mickey’s Choo-Choo
- The Jazz Fool
- The Plowboy
- When the Cat’s Away
- Wild Waves
With these cartoons entering the public domain, the specific likenesses of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in these shorts also entered the public domain. But, as mentioned above by Disney, the characters will still be protected by The Walt Disney Company.
The Skeleton Dance
There is another cartoon that entered the public domain this year from Disney. This is The Skeleton Dance. This is a Silly Symphony cartoon that was released in 1929. In the short, at the stroke of midnight, four human skeletons rise from their graves and begin to dance. The short was produced and directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. A nod to this short appeared more recently in Steamboat Silly, with Mickey Mouse and also Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
What do you think of these titles entering the public domain? Do you think they should have been able to have their copyrights extended? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
