The most famous mouse in the world, Mickey Mouse, will go into the public domain from 2024, which means that the Walt Disney company that created it in 1928 may lose all copyright to the character.
This fact is already causing a heated debate in the US, but the truth is that it comes from the current US intellectual property law, according to which works of art no longer belong only to those who created them after 95 years. In other words, from January 1, 2024, any person or company can use the Mickey Mouse character without paying royalties.
However, an expert heard by The Guardian says that in the case of Mickey Mouse, the termination of intellectual property exclusivity may have some limitations if, for example, the use of the character has direct consequences for the very brand that created it. The question may have another nuance. The public domain of Mickey Mouse can only refer to the first version of the character, when the most famous mouse in the world still appeared in black and white and did not wear the famous white gloves.
The discussion is open, and now Walt Disney must propose a new amendment to the legislation, as has already been done twice – in 1976, when the term of copyright law was increased from 56 to 75 years, and in 2003, when the term was extended by 95 years old. years.
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1928
Mickey Mouse was born from an idea by entrepreneur Walt Disney and designer Ub Iwerks. Originally named Mortimer, the name was changed to Mickey Mouse at the suggestion of Lillian Bounds, wife of Walt Disney.
Icon voices
Between 1928 and 1946, Walt Disney himself voiced Mickey Mouse. He was followed by James J. McDonald, then Wayne Allwyn, and since 2009 Bret Ivan has taken over the role.
Attendance at the Oscars
Mickey was at the Oscars in 1998 to deliver an envelope to Tom Selleck and in 2003 on stage with Jennifer Garner.
Author: Miguel Azevedo
Source: CM Jornal
