Steamboat Willie, a 1928 Disney short film, with the first versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, he made history in animation and brought huge success to the company.

On January 1, 2024, the copyright for Steamboat Willie’s depictions of Mickey Mouse and Minnie expired in the United States, making these particular early renderings available for public use without license or payment. As a result, artists can now legally recreate and reuse the 1928 variations of the iconic characters.

However, Disney warned that more modern versions of Mickey are still covered by copyright. “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights to the most recent versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that are still subject to copyright”the company said.

US copyright law states that rights to characters can be held for 95 years. Early versions of Mickey and Minnie are just two of the projects entering the US public in the New Year. Other famous films, books, music and characters from 1928 are now also available to American audiences.

These include the silent romantic comedy ‘The Circus’ by Charlie Chaplin, the book ‘The House at Pooh Corner’ by English author AA Milne, ‘Orlando’ by Virginia Woolf and ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ by DH Lawrence.

The UK has its own copyright rules. Disney has faced the loss of copyright on its original cartoons several times in the past.

The characters were first expected to enter the public domain in 1984, but Congress extended the term by 20 years. Before the next expiration date in 2004, another 20-year extension was voted.

Disney’s efforts to protect its characters even led to the law being called the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act.” But the moment has finally arrived…