SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
As noted a few days ago, many notable works from the 1920s have ascended to the public domain in the US this year, as of New Year's Day. Cartoon Brew asks, What Happens When 'Steamboat Willie' Hits The Public Domain In 2024? and briefly covers a bit of what the public is set to gain. Notably, the earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain then as a result.
Assuming that 17 U.S.C. §§ 108, 203(a)(2), 301(c), 302, 303, 304(c)(2) is not modified yet again, be sure to observe the difference between trademarks and copyright.
Previously:
(2022) 2023's Public Domain is a Banger
(2022) Digitization Wars, Redux
(2022) Public Domain Day 2022
(2021) Public Domain Day in the USA: Works from 1925 are Open to All!
This discussion was created by janrinok (52) for logged-in users only, but now has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
What Happens When ‘Steamboat Willie’ Hits The Public Domain In 2024?
|
Log In/Create an Account
| Top
| 28 comments
| Search Discussion
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
The mosquito is the state bird of New Jersey.
-- Andy Warhol
(Score: 3, Interesting) by looorg on Tuesday January 03, @01:51PM (6 children)
I would be surprised if there isn't some kind of extension or legal shenanigans at work. The lawyers and all the other tools of power are probably working overtime to make sure that the image of the Mouse doesn't fall into the public domain. After all Disney can't allow Mickey or even Proto-Mickey (or Mortimer or Steamboat Willie) to get into the hands of the public. After all he could do anything then that will tarnish his over the top good image. They do care about his image as much as this single cartoon.
That said there was or is a difference in appearance between the Steamboat Willie era Mouse and Mickey Mouse of today. Steamboat Mickey, if you will, has a much longer tail, a larger belly, all black eyes and more gaunt facial features and the ears are more attached to his skull. Compared to modern Mickey that has a more rounded appearance of the face, flatter belly, thicker limbs and he wears white gloves. Also he is usually in colour and not black and white.
If this somehow doesn't get extended and protected I guess the Disney Lawyers will sue anyone into oblivion that uses the wrong version of the mouse. After all this isn't modern Mickey that is going into the public domain. Mistakes will be made. You might as well have Itchy from the Simpsons playing the role of Steamboat Willie (which they already did on a Simpsons episode). But they will probably also try and sue for all other reasons under the sun the make some examples of people so that Mickey doesn't start doing or appearing in the wrong settings ie violence, hardcore drugs and/or sex/beastiality cartoons etc. So while it might be in the public domain, the domain is a minefield and one taking a wrong step will have dire consequences. After all no small entity is going to afford being sued by Disney.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 03, @02:34PM (2 children)
I was going to post a URL of the famous Bloom County panel with the Disney characters in a dungeon with "Draw or Die" on the wall
but can't find it anywhere.
Coincidence, or conspiracy?
(Score: 3, Touché) by Freeman on Tuesday January 03, @04:31PM (1 child)
Knowing Disney, I would say litigation.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 3, Funny) by MostCynical on Tuesday January 03, @09:38PM
cartoonists are waiting..
https://somethingpositive.net/comic/into-the-public-frontier/ [somethingpositive.net]
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 03, @08:08PM (2 children)
The original Pooh went PD this year.
We'll see what happens to the poor slob who does a drawing with Pooh in a red shirt.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 03, @08:10PM (1 child)
Would Disney and Paramount rip them apart like mad dogs if it was Pooh in a Trek red shirt?
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday January 03, @10:18PM
"You'll never find a more litigious corporation. We must be cautious." - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Probably, in some alternate universe court room drama.)
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"