Is Little Mermaid public domain?

Asked by: Octavia Mann  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (17 votes)

Yes, the original 1837 Hans Christian Andersen story The Little Mermaid is in the public domain, meaning you can create new adaptations of the core story; however, Disney's specific characters (like Ariel), songs, and storyline elements from their 1989 animated film are protected by copyright and trademark, so you can't use those without permission. Disney used the public domain story as a basis, adding their own creative elements, which are their intellectual property.

What will enter the public domain in 2026?

In 2026, works from 1930 entered the U.S. public domain, including classic books like William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, Agatha Christie's Murder at the Vicarage, and the first four Nancy Drew novels, Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, and literary hits like The Little Engine That Could; films such as the Marx Brothers' Animal Crackers and All Quiet on the Western Front; early characters like the first version of Betty Boop (from Dizzy Dishes) and Disney's "Rover" (later Pluto); iconic songs including "Georgia on My Mind," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," and Gershwin tunes like "I Got Rhythm"; and art by Mondrian and the original FIFA World Cup trophy.
 

Who owns the rights to Little Mermaid?

The original Little Mermaid story or 'Den lille havfrue' was published in 1837 and has long since been in the public domain. In 1989 Disney Studios took advantage of the fact that this literary work was in the public domain and released their animated movie.

What Disney images are public domain?

Public domain cartoons

  • Steamboat Willie.
  • Plane Crazy.
  • The New Spirit.
  • Susie the Little Blue Coupe.

What Disney characters are public domain in 2025?

In 2025 copyright expires over more aspects of Mickey from his 1929 incarnations, along with the initial versions of Popeye and Tintin. As with Pooh and Mickey, it is the original versions of Popeye and Tintin that are public domain.

How Disney Will Control Mickey Forever

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Has Disney sued anyone for copyright infringement?

Analysis. On June 11, Disney, NBC Universal, and DreamWorks filed a major copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image-generation company Midjourney, alleging mass infringement of the companies' intellectual properties.

What is the next Disney character to become public domain?

Other characters set to enter the public domain in coming years include Goofy in 2028 (originally named Dippy Dawg), Donald Duck in 2030, Superman in 2034, Batman in 2035, Tom and Jerry and Bugs Bunny in 2036, and Wonder Woman in 2037.

Is it legal to sell Disney shirts on Etsy?

No, it is not legal to sell unauthorized Disney shirts on Etsy; it's a significant copyright and trademark infringement, risking takedowns, legal action, hefty fines, and even bans, as Disney actively protects its intellectual property (IP). Even using similar styles, fonts, or Disney's specific adaptations of public domain characters is prohibited, requiring a costly license for legal sales, which most small sellers can't get, despite many shops appearing to sell infringing items. 

What will enter public domain in 2025?

Here are just a few selections of works to enter the public domain in 2025:

  • The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.
  • A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
  • The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.
  • Laughing Boy: A Navajo Love Story by Oliver La Farge.
  • A Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck.
  • The Magic Island by William Seabrook.

Which movie almost ruined Disney?

The movie that nearly ruined Disney Animation was The Black Cauldron (1985), a dark fantasy that bombed financially, suffered massive production issues, and almost led executives to close the animation department, only for it to be saved by The Little Mermaid (1989) and the subsequent Disney Renaissance.
 

Is The Little Mermaid copyright free?

The most well-known Disney animated movies are based on works in public domain. Snow White, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Sleeping Beauty are just a few examples of Disney playing in the public domain sandbox.

Is The Little Mermaid LGBTQ?

While Disney's The Little Mermaid features a central heterosexual romance, many in the LGBTQ+ community interpret it as a powerful queer allegory, with Ariel's longing for another world and Ursula's design (inspired by drag queen Divine) serving as queer touchstones, reflecting themes of transformation, societal exclusion, and finding authentic self. The original Hans Christian Andersen story also carries deeper queer undertones, written as a reflection of his unrequited love for a man.
 

Are 100 year old photos public domain?

Lexy DeGraffenreid Just a qualifier: Published photos (and anything else, except sound recordings which have their own rules) that are 95 years old are public domain. Unpublished materials have copyright for the life of the creator plus 75 years, or for 120 years for corporate works.

Are you allowed to legally use the image of Mickey Mouse?

On 1 January 2024, the iconic Mickey Mouse imagery (or at least a version of it) finally entered the public domain in the United States after nearly a century of copyright protection.

Does JK Rowling still own Harry Potter IP?

Quick google search might help you... No, J.K. Rowling did not sell the rights to Harry Potter. She retains ownership of the copyrights to the books and related intellectual property, including the characters, while Warner Bros. owns the rights to the film adaptations.

Can I sell Winnie the Pooh merchandise?

Winnie without the red jumper is in the public domain therefore can be used and sold. The image WITH the jumper cannot. Same with mickey mouse, that is copyright but Steamboat Willie is in public domain.

What is the 3 month rule for copyright?

The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP. 

How much does Etsy take from a $1000 sale?

For a $1000 sale on Etsy, you'd pay about $90-$100 in mandatory fees, primarily the 6.5% transaction fee (around $65), plus a payment processing fee (around 3% + $0.25, or ~$30 for $1000), and a listing fee ($0.20), with potential for a 12-15% Offsite Ads fee if the sale came through their ads. The exact total depends on shipping, taxes, and whether Offsite Ads were used. 

Why can't Disney use Mickey Mouse anymore?

Mickey Mouse isn't being "cancelled," but the original 1928 version from Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, meaning anyone can use that specific, older design without Disney's permission, leading to new, often dark, creative projects like horror films. Disney still owns trademarks and copyrights on modern versions of Mickey, so using newer depictions or his name still requires licensing. The confusion arises from this complex shift from copyrighted character to public domain figure, sparking debate and new uses, not a cancellation of the beloved mascot.
 

Is Tinkerbell in public domain?

All published appearances of Tinker Bell from before January 1, 1931 are public domain in the US.

Is the name Cinderella copyrighted?

It is in the public domain, and is not copyrighted. Add for trademark, Disney has done much more with Cinderella than just one movies and therefore asserts trademark rights.

What is the 3/2/1 rule at Disney?

The Disney 3-2-1 Rule is a stress-reducing planning strategy for park days: prioritize 3 must-do rides, 2 entertainment experiences (shows, parades, characters), and 1 specific dining reservation or treat, treating everything else as a bonus to avoid feeling overwhelmed and burnout. This framework helps focus on quality over quantity, ensures you hit your priorities, and builds in flexibility for rest and spontaneous magic.
 

Why is Disney sued for Moana?

Disney has been hit with a copyright lawsuit alleging that the popular Moana franchise was lifted from a decades-old screenplay without the writer's consent. The writer is now suing for $10billion in a new copyright claim.