Disney’s early version of Mickey Mouse enters public domain

The earliest version of Disney‘s iconic characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse entered the public domain on Monday, but later iterations of the animated mice remain under copyright protection.

The Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse featured in the 1928 cartoon Steamboat Willie are no longer under copyright protection and may be legally used without permission from the original creator. Disney has said despite the early version of Mickey Mouse entering the public domain, he will “continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador.”

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“More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise,” a spokesperson for Disney told the Associated Press.

The spokesperson also told the outlet that the company will “continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.”

(AP Photo, File)

Copyright protection will still apply to Mickey Mouse’s later appearances in films and television shows, meaning the specific version and characteristics of the iconic mouse from the first released cartoon will be free to use.

Similar to when Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain in 2022, a filmmaker has already announced his intention to do a horror film starring the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse. A new untitled film starring the early version of the iconic mouse was announced one day after Mickey Mouse entered the public domain and is set to be directed by Steven LaMorte, according to Variety.

“Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror,” LaMorte said, according to the outlet. “It’s a project I’ve been dreaming of, and I can’t wait to unleash this twisted take on this beloved character to the world.”

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Despite filmmakers and others looking to capitalize on part of Mickey Mouse entering the public domain, Disney said in its statement it believes people will still associate the character with its original home.

“Ever since Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated the character with Disney’s stories, experiences, and authentic products,” a Disney spokesperson told the Associated Press. “That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires.”