MICKEY GOING PUBLIC

’28 copyright end

Oh, toodles! The 1928 version of Mickey Mouse will now enter the public domain, despite Disney trying to save its copyright on the iconic character that started it all.

Disney will lose the copyright to “Steamboat Willie” (inset), the first animated short Mickey film to be distributed. The earliest version of Minnie, which also appeared in the cartoon, will enter the public domain Monday as well.

Disney has made several legal maneuvers over the years in a bid to extend its copyright. In 1998, it lobbied for the Copyright Extension Act, which added 20 years to its rights, 95 years total. That time is now up.

“It’s sometimes derisively referred to as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act. That’s oversimplified,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for Public Domain Day.

“It wasn’t just Disney that was pushing for term extension. It was a whole group of copyright holders whose works were set to go into the public domain soon, who benefited greatly from the 20 years of extra protection,” she said.

When works finally become public domain, community theaters or youth musical groups can perform certain pieces for an audience without forking over a fee, Duke’s public domain center explained.

While the purpose of copyright is to promote creativity, it is limited to a time period so that when works finally enter the public domain, future authors and creators “can legally build on the past.” More modern versions of Mickey and Minnie will still be protected under the law. Disney said it would closely monitor interpretations of the characters.

The 1928 version does not speak, giving creators limited usage of the character.

“Ever since Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in the 1928 short film ‘Steamboat Willie,’ people have associated the character with Disney’s stories, experiences, and authentic products,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.

“That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires,” the rep continued. “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.”

Thousands of other copyrighted works will also go into the public domain, including “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” by D.H. Lawrence and “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht.

Additionally, Buster Keaton’s “The Cameraman,” “Let’s Do It” from Cole Porter and “Animal Crackers” of Marx Brothers fame will be released.