The exciting future of Public Domain

[clearspira]

Here's an interesting fact: Mickey Mouse will become public domain in 2024 - and the copyrights to Superman, Batman, Disney's Snow White, and early Looney Tunes characters will all fall into the public domain between 2031 and 2035.

This is very interesting uncharted territory and whilst the ORIGINAL versions of these characters such as Steamboat Willie and the first Action Comics Superman will be public domain, their later incarnations won't be. The Mickey ears trademark or the modern Superman logo for example will be out of bounds. This would mean that actually making and selling your own Mickey or Superman work a minefield of potential lawsuits. But... potentially it will be possible. We may see the return of flightless Superman or purple gloved Batman outside Disney or DC's control.

Disney etc. are of course trying to extend copyright, but so far congress is not showing much signs of budging. Time will tell.

[pilight]

Congress will extend the term again, like always

[Mecha82]

I doubt those copyrighted properties are allowed to go become public domain. I mean they are more than happy to use public domain to they own advantage but they will not let what they own become part of that.

[LittleRaven]

Congress will extend the term again, like always

[Yukaphile]

Yeah, no way they're gonna let the "commoner peasants" make money off that. That's their jobs!

[phantom000]

Here is an idea, what if after 'such and such' time the work will become public domain, provided the copyright holders continue to produce works based on the material.

Basically, DC can keep owning Superman until the Earth falls into the Sun provided they can keep making Superman comic books, but once they stop it becomes public domain.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

We would all probably die long before the Earth actually made it to the sun though.

[ProfessorDetective]

Here is an idea, what if after 'such and such' time the work will become public domain, provided the copyright holders continue to produce works based on the material.

Basically, DC can keep owning Superman until the Earth falls into the Sun provided they can keep making Superman comic books, but once they stop it becomes public domain.

Isn't that how trademarking works?

[Robovski]

Disney will not let Mickey go, or anything else it holds. Be prepared for yet another putting off and our cultural robbery as things that should have entered the public domain remain in private (corporate) hands.

[Yukaphile]

The big corps are never gonna give these up. EVER. Sad fact.