Mickey Mouse is in the public domain.

One of the most famous fictional characters, Mickey Mouse, entered the public domain, and the Walt Disney Company lost the exclusive rights to the first version of the famous cartoon.

Under US law, copyright lasts 95 years. This means that Disney's rights to Mickey Mouse's first appearance in the 1928 film "Steamboat Willie" will expire on January 1, 2024. Now anyone can use the cartoon mouse in paintings, novels, songs, and other places, but there are some restrictions. Disney still has a long way to go to protect Mickey Mouse, as it has held the copyright to the modern version of the character for many years. The company said it will continue to protect its trademarks, which could limit what creators can do.

"Since Mickey Mouse first appeared in the 1928 short film 'Steamboat Willie,' people have associated the character with authentic Disney stories, experiences, and products," a Disney spokesperson told The Associated Press. "That won't change when Steamboat Willie's copyright expires."

Mickey, an anthropomorphic mouse who wears red shorts, big yellow shoes, and white gloves, has become a symbol of the Disney brand and one of the most famous and beloved characters in the world. Shortly after Walt Disney drew Mickey, he drew his friend Minnie, a mouse wearing a polka dot dress and a big bow in her hair. In 1928, one month after Steamboat Willie was born, Walt Disney officially registered the Mickey Mouse character for copyright protection. Disney, along with other companies, successfully lobbied the US Congress to extend the copyright term to 95 years. For decades, Mickey and Minnie's appearances in various non-Disney cartoons, as well as cartoons, films, and products have resulted in copyright infringement lawsuits.

Industry experts describe Mickey's entry into the public domain as a historic event. "This is a big deal," said Jennifer Jenkins, director of the Duke Center for Studies in the Public Domain. "This is causing a lot of excitement in the copyright community. It's finally happening."

The list of works and characters that entered the public domain in 2024 also includes Tiger, who first appeared in 1928, like Mickey Mouse. It's been 96 years since the book "Pooh Corner" in which the leaping tiger first appeared. Other works from 1928 include D. H. Lawrence; E.M. Remarque's novel All Quiet on the Western Front and Buster Keaton's The Operator.