Disney loses Mickey Mouse copyright on New Year’s Day

From January 1, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will enter the public domain, making Disney’s mascot available for use by filmmakers, cartoonists, and novelists who wish to tell their own stories featuring the character, The Times said, Report informs.

Steamboat Willie, the 1928 short film that transformed the company’s fortunes and changed the film industry, featured a rat-like, non-speaking Mickey—as well as an early Minnie—that will soon be available to the public.

According to a US copyright law, which has been expanded several times during Mickey’s life, copyright can be held for 95 years.