The original version of an iconic Disney character has entered the public domain. The Center of the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University released its annual list of thousands of works from 1930 that lost their copyright protection with the start of the new year.

As 2026 begins, so does a new chapter for creativity. Thousands of books, films, songs and works of art from the early 20th century are now officially in the public domain, meaning anyone can legally use, remix, or adapt them.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse aren’t the only notable characters or works that lost their copyright protection on Jan. 1, known as “Public Domain Day.” J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” play is now up for creative adaptations, and the iconic character of ...

As another year begins, another round of works enter the public domain, including the earliest appearances of 'Mickey Mouse,' according to Duke University Law School's Center for the Study of the Public Domain. Both 'Steamboat Willie,' and the silent ...

The original Mickey Mouse entered the public domain after Disney's copyright on the image expired. A trove of other cultural works published in 1928 also are losing copyright protection. Here are 10 notable songs, books, and other works and what they stood ...

Steamboat Willie, lMickey Mouse, 1928). Many iconic copyrighted works (most notably, Mickey Mouse) that were first published prior to 1929 fell into the public domain in the United States starting January 1, 2024 due to expiration of a 95-year copyright ...

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of ...

The public will be able to copy and reproduce thousands of copyrighted works from 1930 in the new year, including flirtatious flapper Betty Boop, nine additional Mickey Mouse cartoons and novels from Agatha Christie and William Faulkner.