Perhaps you’ve heard of Mickey Mouse—one of the most lovable and recognizable characters in animation history. Similarly, Mickey’s “owner,” The Walt Disney Co., is undoubtedly among the most famous and powerful brand owners in the world, known for its rigorous protection and enforcement of its intellectual property rights. Earlier this year, media and news outlets widely reported that Mickey Mouse had entered the “public domain” because Disney’s copyright in the cartoon “Steamboat Willie” expired on Jan. 1, 2024. What implications does the expiration of this copyright registration actually have and may we all start using Mickey to promote our products and services?
Developed with a budget of $4,986 and released on Nov. 18, 1928, Disney’s seven-minute long “Steamboat Willie” was the first cartoon with synchronized sound and introduced Mickey and Minnie Mouse to the world for the very first time. Steamboat Willie shows a beady-eyed, black and white, gloveless Mickey Mouse steering a steamboat downriver while entertaining Minnie without speaking a word. Since Steamboat Willie’s release, Mickey Mouse has appeared in countless shows and movies, becoming Disney’s most recognizable character and boasting one of the most identifiable silhouettes in entertainment history (sorry “Jumpman” Michael Jordan).
