The iconic Mickey & Minnie Mouse is all set to enter public domain on the 1st of January. The silent version of the film Steamboat Willie, which released in 1928 and directed by Disney will enter into public domain on January 1.

Mickey & Minnie Mouse enters public domain, will no longer be owned by Disney | WION

The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is going to lose its marquee character Mickey Mouse at the end of this year. As per the US copyright law, the rights to characters expire 95 years after publication (for works published or registered before 1978).

How Disney routinely exerted influence on the US copyright law to keep its greatest asset — Mickey Mouse

The mascot of Disney and one of the most recognisable characters in pop culture, Mickey Mouse, will be out of its owner's grasp next year. As per the New York Times, 'Steamboat Willie', the short animated film that introduced the character in 1928 is out of copyright.

Disney to lose rights to Mickey Mouse as the character enters public domain. But there's a caveat