Disney is losing the copyright on Steamboat Willie, the original version of Mickey Mouse that appeared in a 1928 cartoon short, when it expires on New Year's Day.

The Disney 1928 short that brought the world Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse is now in the public domain, but not everyone can use it ...

Mickey Mouse in particular quickly became one of the most iconic characters of the Disney brand. Today, he is featured in virtually every aspect of Disney’s branding.

Here's why Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is based on the modern shorts and not classic Mickey Mouse.

Mickey Mouse isn’t just for kids anymore. A trailer has dropped for a horror comedy film in which Mickey Mouse is the psycho killer – on the first day that the 1928 Disney short film “Steambo… ...

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." What else will enter the public domain in 2024?

For nearly a century, the image of Mickey Mouse has been married to Disney’s brand, but in 2024, the copyright of Disney’s first film featuring Mickey will expire.

Even though only one very specific version of the character is free to use, it still represents a positive step for creative expression.

The earliest version of Mickey Mouse is now public as “Steamboat Willie” loses copyright protections. Disney fought to extend those laws for decades.

For nearly a century, the image of Mickey Mouse has been married to Disney’s brand, but in 2024, the copyright of Disney’s first film featuring Mickey will expire.

(CNN) — In just a few short days, an early version of Disney’s most iconic character will join the public domain for the first time.