Mickey Mouse enters public domain: What it means, and what other famous characters will soon follow?

A version of Mickey Mouse from the 1928 film “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain earlier this year, and over the next decade copyright will expire on several more popular childhood characters, including Popeye the Sailor and Batman. Copyright on a piece of work – such as a novel, a song or a film – is protected in the U.S. for seventy years after the original creator’s death or 95 years for those works created for hire or by an anonymous author or artist. Once intellectual property (IP) enters the public domain, you might think it would be free for any author, artist or filmmaker to use in any way they see fit. But in the case of iconic childhood characters like Mickey Mouse, experts say it’s a little more complicated. Global’s Alyssa Julie explores the public domain and why artists still need to be careful. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #publicdomain #mickeymouse