Disney Releases Statement About Mickey Mouse And 'Steamboat Willie' Ahead Of 2024 Copyright Expiration

TV & Film

Dec 19

We all thought it would never happen. Disney was too powerful. Their reach extended beyond the government itself. They’d worked to extend the copyright for the most famous cartoon character of all time before, but this time it’s different. This time, it’s happening. On January 1st of 2024, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, at least the version of them that came out in the groundbreaking short Steamboat Willie will become public domain.

In regards to this monumental happening, a spokesperson for Disney has released a statement, saying: “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. 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. 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.”

So, if you wanted to make a slasher version of Steamboat Willie to come out after January 1st, 2024 then nothing is stopping you.

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