In the world of intellectual property, there’s one day on the calendar that catches our attention above the rest: January 1st. For many people, this day brings the excitement of the New Year and all the opportunities and challenges that come with the flip of the calendar. For IP attorneys, professionals, and creatives, however, there’s another reason to celebrate the day: January 1st each year is considered “Public Domain Day.”
We’ve talked in the past about some of the notable brands, characters, and stories that are entering the public domain, most notably with Winnie the Pooh in 2022, Sherlock Holmes in 2023, and Steamboat Willie (the first iteration of Mickey Mouse) in 2024. This year, there’s one major character from our childhoods that will enter the public domain and a few other notable stories to keep an eye on.
What is Public Domain?
The public domain is the umbrella term for all works that are able to be used freely without the hindrance or concern of copyright protections. These works are often works that were created before copyright laws existed or applied, have had their copyright expire (typically 70 years after the death of its author or, in cases of older works, 96 years after the first publication).
Each year, we’re able to track back through the calendar to 96 years prior to that year (in this case, 96 years prior to 2025 being 1929) and look at works that were initially published. What’s important to note is that there are many different versions of a story, song, or character, and only the work related directly to that publication year becomes publicly available for use. For example, Steamboat Willie became public domain last year but Mickey Mouse did not because the modern version of Mickey Mouse didn’t debut until years later (the next date to watch is January 1, 2031, 96 years after Mickey’s first color appearance in 1935).
What Works Become Public Domain in 2025?
The most notable work that is public domain as of January 1, 2025 is the spinach-eating sailor himself, Popeye. Popeye first appeared in the newspaper Thimble Theater in a comic strip in 1929 by E.C. Segar. Popeye became public domain in other countries with differing laws, but the United States will now see the popular character open to the public.
Other important works include:
- 12 additional Steamboat Willie cartoons
- The character Tin Tin from The Adventures of Tin Tin
- The English novelization of “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque
- “The Sound and Fury” by William Faulkner
- “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway
- The original sheet music for “Rhapsody in Blue”
- The famous “Skeleton Dance” from the very first Silly Symphony cartoons
What Are You Going to Create?
As more works become part of the public domain, there are more opportunities to get creative in the way you incorporate these works into your own. If you’re looking to get creative in 2025, let us help power your innovations. At McDermott IP Law, we’re always following each year’s Public Domain Day to stay up to date on what has lost its copyright protection. It creates some very interesting stories for brands across the country to use. Will you be next? Contact us to get started on your innovation today.
McDermott IP Law
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