Starting January 1, 2025, Popeye and Tintinalong with literary heavyweights like William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingwaywill enter the public domain, meaning that their stories, films and songs can be reused and repurposed without paying royalties or seeking approval.
What’s the trick with Popeye and Tintin?
Popeye, the sailor with the bulging forearms and energetic attitude, made his debut in 1929 in “Thimble Theatre” by E. C. Segar.
His first appearance, in which he mutters “Do you think I’m a cowboy?”, is now an easy target for creators. But, although its original form is entering the public domain, subsequent developments, including su force driven by spinach and the animated shorts of 1933, are still protected.
Similarly, Hergé’s first Tintin comicswhich debuted in 1929, will be free to adapt, but subsequent color schemes and the 2011 film adaptation will remain under copyright.
What literary classics are now open to everyone?
In addition to these beloved characters, literary giants like Faulkner and Hemingway will join the public domain in 2025.
“The sound and the fury” by Faulkner, a challenging and revolutionary modernist novel, is now available for adaptation, along with “Farewell to arms” by Hemingway, a story of love and loss set against the backdrop of World War I.
Both novels established their authors as pillars of American literature. Along with them, the debut novel by John Steinbeck, “A cup of gold”and “A room of your own”of Virginia Woolfa pioneering work of feminist thought, are also entering the public domain.
What movies and music enter the public domain?
The world of cinema is not far behind: the first works of Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford and Cecil B. DeMille They can be used for free.
“Blackmail” Hitchcock’s, the UK’s first talkie, and “The Black Watch” by Ford will enter the public domain, along with the Marx Brothers’ first starring role in “The Cocoanuts”.
Besides, “The Broadway Melody”the second film to win the Oscar for best picture, is now available for adaptation. As for music, songs like “What Is This Thing Called Love?”of Cole Porterand the jazz classic “Ain’t Misbehavin'”of Fats Walleralong with the iconic “Singin’ in the Rain”which premiered in 1929.
As these legendary works and characters enter the public domain, the floodgates open to new interpretations, adaptations and reinventions, giving creators a new canvas to work with and breathe new life into these cultural pillars.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
