M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.
With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.
In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short “Steamboat Willie,” featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.
“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat, like expelling smoke. It’s so exciting.”
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One fateful night willie came across a quite a despondent bear. Who are you friend and what is wrong. My name is winnie the poo and my willie is to small and it makes me sad. The only thing that makes me feel better is pretending my property extends way beyond its actual boundries. Well winnie my name is willie and maybe my willie in your pooper will make your will feel better. Let me violently sodomize you. Winnie thought for a bit and said, well ok but only if you agree to recognize maps of my properties with my fictional boundries. deal said willie.