Mickey Mouse Becomes Public Domain in 2024

It’s the moment Disney has dreaded. Next year, in 2024, Mickey Mouse becomes public domain.

(Also Wish was rated the worst Disney film in 2 decades recently.)

The trademark on 1928 Disney short film Steamboat Willie, which contains one of the earliest depictions of Mickey, is soon to elapse.

That essentially gives creators outside Disney the legal right to use one of the most iconic mascots of all time. Or does it?

In a statement to The Associated Press, a Disney spokesperson clarified the situation.

“More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.”

So while it seems Disney can’t go after you for profiting off a work derived from Steamboat Willie, Mickey as he exists today is still under Disney ownership.

“We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright."

Related: Wish Ending Features Mindblowing Connection to Other Disney Films

In addition, there are rules in place to prevent creators going too far, with the company working “to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.” For instance, creators won’t be allowed to deceptively fool people that their Mickey is affiliated with Disney.

Mickey’s not alone. Tigger from Winnie the Pooh will also become public domain next year, which explains why upcoming horror film Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 hasn’t unleashed Disney’s army of lawyers.