What could happen to the original version of Mickey Mouse and others after they entered the public domain on Jan. 1? Hint: think Winnie the Pooh wielding a sledgehammer.

If you’re the creative type and you’re struggling to come up with your next idea, do not fear: some big works, including the original version of Mickey Mouse, are entering the public domain on Jan. 1 in the United States.

And if, on the other hand, you prefer your Disney characters to be cute, cuddly and never-changing, well … you might want to stop reading.

In 2024, thousands of copyrighted works published in 1928 are entering the public domain, after their 95-year term expires.

. . .

The New York Times reached out to some writers, producers and directors to give you a taste of what might be unleashed in this strange new world.

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  • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
    1342·
    11 months ago

    Not to worry. It’s public domain! Freedom! Steal away!

    This is such a shitty take.

    The quote near the beginning of the article is the correct point of view:

    “It’s important for the preservation of our cultural record, for meaningful access to older works for inspiring future creativity,” Jennifer Jenkins, the director for the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke Law School, said.

    Creative works entering the public domain is the norm. The past decades of Disney paying to get copywrite time extended are abnormal.

    The author is using nostalgia and some cherry-picked examples to fear-monger in favor of corporate control over creative works. He might as well be kissing the mouse’s boots.

    • breakfastmtnOP
      124·
      11 months ago

      Don’t disagree with you on copyright at all. I think you might be misreading the tone of this article though. It seems a lot lighter to me. At least, quoting a bunch of comedians joking around about possible uses of public domain characters would be a weird choice for a scare piece. The author has another recent article with a jokey tone too.