Mickey Mouse, Tigger Among Works Entering Public Domain This Year

As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2024, a significant cultural shift took place in the United States as a plethora of works from 1928 entered the public domain under the provisions of the Copyright Term Extension Act. This legislation, which determines the duration of copyright protection, stipulates that works published in 1928 become freely accessible to the public.

Among the most notable releases into the public domain is the iconic animated film “Steamboat Willie,” a creation of Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks that marked the debut of the beloved Mickey Mouse. Until now, the short film was under the ownership of the Walt Disney Company, but as of January 1, 2024, it is open for public enjoyment.

Joining the roster of public domain gems are the earliest incarnations of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, including the silent version of “Plane Crazy.” It’s worth noting that while the sound version of “Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin’ Gaucho” were released in 1928, their copyright filings in 1929 mean they will enter the public domain in 2025.

Beyond the realm of animation, the film industry witnesses the liberation of classics such as Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus,” Harold Lloyd’s final silent feature “Speedy,” and other cinematic treasures like “The Passion of Joan of Arc” and “The Wedding March.”

In the literary domain, readers can now explore A. A. Milne’s “The House at Pooh Corner” featuring the beloved character Tigger, as well as J. M. Barrie’s timeless “Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” However, it’s important to note that these works are now in the public domain in the United States but not necessarily in the United Kingdom.

The list of literary works expanding the public domain is extensive, including D. H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando: A Biography,” and many more. Additionally, original editions of Franklin W. Dixon’s “The Hardy Boys” series and notable works by prominent authors such as Agatha Christie, Aldous Huxley, and H. G. Wells are now freely accessible.

Musical compositions from 1928 that have entered the public domain include classics like “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby,” “Makin’ Whoopee,” and “You’re the Cream in My Coffee.” Sound recordings from the same year, recorded by artists like Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and Ma Rainey, are also now part of the public domain.

The release into the public domain extends beyond traditional forms of art, encompassing the woodcut masterpiece of M. C. Escher’s “Tower of Babel.”

This influx of cultural treasures into the public domain marks a celebration of creativity, allowing a new generation to engage with and build upon these foundational works. As we enter 2024, the public domain is richer than ever, providing a wealth of inspiration and resources for artists, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. It will be interesting to see how some of these beloved characters are used, as we previously saw in the 2023 film “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” which saw Pooh and Piglet star in a slasher horror film.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors.