Current US copyright law. I think Canada is 50 years after death of creator. Every country has its own, although international legal groups have broad guidelines most nations fall within. The biggest difference for countries in compliance, IMHO, is how parody is treated. In Japan you can get away with stuff that would be illegal in the US, which explains why some manga can’t be sold here.
Copyright has expired on three specific cartoons from 1928. Mickey and Minnie are still trademarked by Disney, placing some restrictions on what others can do with the Mouse in the marketplace. Copyright and trademark are two different things. Trademarks don’t expire so long as the trademark owners continue to actively use the trademarked properties in their business.
That’s one benefit of the do – nothing Congress: Couldn’t keep their act together well enough to do their job. The rule is copyright is extended such that Steam Boat Willie is always in copyright. It’s in the book.
I just thought about this and realized that there must be a LOT of content exiting copyright these days. Mickey is the least of it. Google ‘Public Domain Day’ and you should get a list.
nolcott 12 months ago
Minnie Minoso. Played for the White Sox when I was a kid.
LawrenceS 12 months ago
Current US copyright law. I think Canada is 50 years after death of creator. Every country has its own, although international legal groups have broad guidelines most nations fall within. The biggest difference for countries in compliance, IMHO, is how parody is treated. In Japan you can get away with stuff that would be illegal in the US, which explains why some manga can’t be sold here.
gammaguy 12 months ago
“Who’s Minnie?”
Now that “she” is in the public domain, that question should be, “Whose Minnie?”
Batlash Premium Member 12 months ago
Copyright has expired on three specific cartoons from 1928. Mickey and Minnie are still trademarked by Disney, placing some restrictions on what others can do with the Mouse in the marketplace. Copyright and trademark are two different things. Trademarks don’t expire so long as the trademark owners continue to actively use the trademarked properties in their business.
Jhony-Yermo 12 months ago
Bring back the real, the cute, VERO please
zwilnik64 12 months ago
That’s one benefit of the do – nothing Congress: Couldn’t keep their act together well enough to do their job. The rule is copyright is extended such that Steam Boat Willie is always in copyright. It’s in the book.
comicsboi Premium Member 12 months ago
I just thought about this and realized that there must be a LOT of content exiting copyright these days. Mickey is the least of it. Google ‘Public Domain Day’ and you should get a list.