The Walt Disney Company is once again facing the reality of losing exclusive rights to some of its most iconic characters as early Mickey Mouse shorts enter the public domain.
Earlier this year, Steamboat Willie (1928), featuring the original black-and-white sailor, became public property. Creatives quickly seized the opportunity to reimagine the character in unique and sometimes shocking ways, from horror shorts to unconventional video games. Now, Disney is bracing for more significant losses.
The company has long fought to delay copyright expiration, including lobbying for what many activists dubbed “The Mickey Mouse Protection Act.” However, these efforts ultimately failed, allowing Steamboat Willie and other early works to leave Disney’s exclusive domain. The company remains adamant, however, that modern versions of Mickey Mouse will continue to be protected.
“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 said in January. “That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires.”
“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,” they explained. “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright.”
January Brings New Losses
Beginning January 1, 2025, Disney will lose exclusive rights to additional early Mickey Mouse shorts, including The Karnival Kid (1929), which is historically significant as the first appearance of a talking Mickey Mouse.
Other shorts, such as The Barn Dance (1929), The Opry House (1929), and When the Cat’s Away (1929), will also enter the public domain. In total, 12 Mickey Mouse shorts featuring characters like Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle Cow, and Pete will no longer be protected by copyright law.
This change means that early versions of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and other classic characters from these shorts will be available for public use. Creatives will be free to incorporate these versions into new works without permission from The Walt Disney Company.
Protecting the Mickey Mouse Legacy
Although Disney can no longer maintain exclusive rights to these early versions, the company is determined to protect its intellectual property. Modern iterations of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and other beloved characters remain under copyright and trademark protections. This ensures that while creatives can explore early versions, the iconic depictions used in Disney’s theme parks, merchandise, and films will remain exclusively tied to the company.
Which early Disney short is your favorite? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
