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The Importance of Trademark Protection When Copyrighted Works Enter the Public Domain

Corsearch

The copyright for one of the first depictions of Mickey Mouse will expire in 2024. Looking at the clip of Oswald below, you can clearly see elements of the character in Mickey’s modern design. Why Mickey Mouse is still protected The copyright on Steamboat Willie is set to expire in January 2024. So, why aren’t Disney concerned?

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Is the Happiest Place on Earth About to Lose its Smiling Face?

LexBlog IP

copyright protection in 2024. Since only the “Steamboat Willie” cartoon version of Mickey is going out of copyright protection, every other version of Mickey Mouse that Disney has created since 1928 will still be protected on January 1, 2024. That also includes the version of Mickey Mouse we all know and love today.