general media 1923 Works Enter the Public Domain This Tuesday!

[FirePuppy 626]

That's right, starting Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019, every copyrighted media from 1923 will enter the public domain. This also means the oldest copyrighted material from then on will be dated January 1, 1924.

And of course, during Trump's years as President, we're gradually going to see all other 1920s works in the public domain, and guess who's going down the ship with these old works:

And as long as Trump doesn't sign another copyright law, those copyright holders can kiss their works good-bye.

[Props Valroa 26,033]

What an interesting time to be alive, to see things like this happening.

[Quinch 1,119]

Eh, I'm sure Disney can buy a few more years of copyright. Hasn't stopped them before.

[Randimaxis 8,633]

ATTENTION!

Felix The Cat enters public domain this year!

REJOICE!!!!!

[Brony Number 42 9,926]

You mean next Tuesday.

[Olly 1,008]

2 hours ago, FirePuppy said:

That's right, starting Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019, every copyrighted media from 1923 will enter the public domain. This also means the oldest copyrighted material from then on will be dated January 1, 1924.

And of course, during Trump's years as President, we're gradually going to see all other 1920s works in the public domain, and guess who's going down the ship with these old works:

And as long as Trump doesn't sign another copyright law, those copyright holders can kiss their works good-bye.

Yeeeeeeahhhh trust me there's no way Disney's going to let mickey or anything related to the character enter public domain.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Olly

[Gestum 2,493]

1 hour ago, Olly said:

Yeeeeeeahhhh trust me there's no way Disney's going to let mickey or anything related to the character enter public domain.

Mickey and pretty much every other Disney character is also protected by a shit ton of trademarks (they have 16 different trademarks for Mickey alone). So while he will technically be in the public domain, people won't be able to use him.

[FirePuppy 626]

26 minutes ago, Gestum said:

Mickey and pretty much every other Disney character is also protected by a shit ton of trademarks (they have 16 different trademarks for Mickey alone). So while he will technically be in the public domain, people won't be able to use him.

And that's okay, since trademark and copyright are not necessarily the same thing. It's the media that's supposed to enter the public domain, not whoever's in it.

[Jeric 46,834]

The copyright expiration is not this Tuesday for Steamboat Willie, also it’s not the character that enters public domain, it’s Steamboat Willie. Important distinction. As mentioned Tradmark will cover the specific separate depictions of elements within the copywrited material and Disney will file TM violation on every non Steamboat Willie use of the element if wishes to continue use of. 

Basically a third party would be able to do a new Steamboat Willie but if a third party sells anything with just Mickey Mouse on it they will get sued, will not have the funds to defend against Disney, and Disney will win. 

Also, they could redo Steamboat Willie an due to a possible loophole, may be able to file a new copyright. 

 

[FirePuppy 626]

Guys, stop being so pessimistic. It's been a long while since copyrights for really old media have expired, and

46 minutes ago, Jeric said:

The copyright expiration is not this Tuesday for Steamboat Willie, also it’s not the character that enters public domain, it’s Steamboat Willie. Important distinction. As mentioned Tradmark will cover the specific separate depictions of elements within the copywrited material and Disney will file TM violation on every non Steamboat Willie use of the element if wishes to continue use of.

I didn't say that Steamboat Willie was going to become public domain this year. I meant that we are gradually going to see all other 1920s works end up that way, year by year, during Trump's presidency.

[Jeric 46,834]

17 minutes ago, FirePuppy said:

Guys, stop being so pessimistic. It's been a long while since copyrights for really old media have expired, and

I didn't say that Steamboat Willie was going to become public domain this year. I meant that we are gradually going to see all other 1920s works end up that way, year by year, during Trump's presidency.

I didn’t say you said that. However the focus on one specific example without that fact was just plain dunderheaded. You always do that. You omit important facts and when someone adds the missing elements you say, “Nya I didn’t say that, nya”.  

That’s one part childish, and one part YOUR FAULT. Put more effort into your posts and those of us who know what we are talking about won’t have to pop in and do your research for you. I suspect you knew this and omitted it because it wasn’t as dramatic for you. Steamboat Willie has 5 years. 

 

You were also completely wrong about how you interpreted copyright vs trademark law. copyright into public domain = reproduction of the previously protected work. Meaning I can sell copies of Steamboat Willie. That’s it. I can’t make a Mickey Mouse lamp, or a new cartoon staring Mickey Mouse. You tried to  dismiss this when someone else pointed your error by omission out, and your rebuttal sucked hard and was very wrong to boot. I think the above is a fair assessment.

Be better, or make sure you qualify that you may have missed details and are not an expert, because you keep making mistakes and get all defensive when people point them out. Stop it. You know what you are doing. 

[BornAgainBrony 2,395]

While Disney still exists, it is likely that we will reach a point where nothing will enter public domain again Least of all Trump who would no doubt kowtow to anything the media giants want. Mickey comes up again in 2024 though so I'm not sure that would even be his problem, since it will probably hang in debate long after.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,283]

I'll look for a lot of "NEW" books at Project Gutenberg!

[heavens-champion 1,893]

On 12/29/2018 at 5:00 PM, Gestum said:

Mickey and pretty much every other Disney character is also protected by a shit ton of trademarks (they have 16 different trademarks for Mickey alone). So while he will technically be in the public domain, people won't be able to use him.

The only way anyone's gonna be using Mickey Mouse, is by working for Disney.

[Will Guide 21,325]

After losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back in 1928, Walt Disney himself wouldn't allow Mickey Mouse to be sold, even at a time when he was offered a lot of Money for him and Walt didn't have a dime in his pocket, because to him, "That Mouse is Family"

[Will Guide 21,325]

To quote from Saving Mr. Banks in Walt's Words

"Pal Powers, he wanted the mouse and I didn't have a bean back then. He was this big terrifying New York producer and I was just a kid from Missouri with a sketch of Mickey but-- it woulda' killed me to giveh himup. Honest to god killed me. That mouse he's family."