The earliest known version of Disney’s Mickey Mouse entered the public domain on Jan. 1, nearly 100 years after the iconic character first appeared in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie. Under U.S.

In just a few short days, an early version of Disney’s most iconic character will join the public domain for the first time. For nearly a century, the image of Mickey Mouse has been married to the ...

Mickey Mouse no longer belongs solely to the Walt Disney Company. On January 1, 2024, an early version of the entertainment company’s mascot, featured in Walt Disney’s 1928 short film, “Steamboat ...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The Walt Disney Company no longer has a grasp on all things Mickey Mouse. The earliest version of the brand’s iconic mascot featured in ...