What will enter the public domain in 2025?
Asked by: Evert Yost Jr. | Last update: May 6, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (2 votes)
In 2025, works published in the U.S. in 1929 entered the public domain, including classic books like All Quiet on the Western Front, A Farewell to Arms, and The Sound and the Fury; early Disney cartoons like The Skeleton Dance; and figures like the first appearance of Popeye in Thimble Theater, allowing free use, sharing, and adaptation. In the EU, works by artists like Henri Matisse and Frida Kahlo also entered the public domain in 2025.
What is entering public domain in 2026?
Betty Boop, 'Blondie' and more: The characters, films and songs entering the public domain in 2026. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Betty Boop and “Blondie” are joining Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh in the public domain.
What will become public domain in 2025?
In 2025, several characters will enter the public domain, including Horace Horsecollar, Tintin (Les Aventures de Tintin), and the original Popeye the Sailor Man. His first appearance in “Gobs of Work” from the Thimble Theatre comic strip came in January 1929.
What will enter the public domain in 2035?
In 2035, significant works entering the public domain in the U.S. (based on 95 years from publication) include literary classics like The Grapes of Wrath, Finnegans Wake, and And Then There Were None, Ian Fleming's early James Bond novels (like the first novel, Casino Royale), Dr. Seuss books, and Hergé's Tintin comics, allowing broader use without licensing fees, though some characters (like Bond) still have trademark protections.
Is Tom and Jerry public domain?
No, classic Tom and Jerry cartoons are not currently in the public domain in the U.S.; they are owned by Warner Bros. and their copyright generally lasts 95 years from publication for studio works like these. While the very first cartoon featuring the characters (originally Jasper & Jinx) enters the public domain around 2036-2037, the core, well-known Tom and Jerry shorts remain protected, with newer iterations protected even longer, meaning you can't freely use them yet.
Everything Entering Public Domain in 2025
Will Popeye be public domain?
On January 1, 2025, the Thimble Theatre strip that introduced Popeye entered the public domain.
Will Mickey Mouse ever enter public domain?
Yes, the original 1928 version of Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie is already in the public domain in the U.S. as of January 1, 2024, meaning it can be used freely; however, modern, later versions of Mickey and Disney's trademarks on the character remain protected, so only the specific early design is free to use, not the whole character as we know him today.
What will become public domain in 2028?
In 2028, expect early versions of Disney's Goofy, Universal's original Mummy (Boris Karloff), the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and comics like Tintin in America, plus the 1930s horror film Freaks, to enter the U.S. public domain, allowing free use of these works, though specific character traits might remain copyrighted, notes Bam Smack Pow, Reddit, Reddit, GameTek, Texas State University, Wikipedia, Voronoi by Visual Capitalist, Oregon State University https://guides.library.oregondomain/publicdomain, Axios, Wikipedia, Wikipedia.
Is Betty Boop in public domain?
Yes, the original, dog-like version of Betty Boop from the 1930 cartoon "Dizzy Dishes" entered the public domain on January 1, 2026, but the fully developed, human-like Betty Boop character remains protected by copyright and trademark law, with later versions becoming public domain over time as their copyrights expire. This means you can freely use the early, dog-eared Betty, but using the modern, humanized version requires permission due to ongoing intellectual property rights held by Fleischer Studios.
Will James Bond enter public domain?
Given that Fleming passed away in 1964, the original Bond source material will enter the public domain at midnight on 1 January 2035.
Who will be public domain in 2027?
What's entering the public domain in 2027? Copyrighted works from 1931 will see their protections expire in 2027. This includes Universal Pictures' "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" films, Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights," Fritz Lang's "M," Herman Hupfeld's jazz standard "As Time Goes By" and more.
Do I need a license to sell Harry Potter stuff?
Anything at all that can be considered Harry Potter is not allowed without express permission from copyright holders (and there's hefty fees involved). It's simple.
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.
What movie is Locked Away for 100 Years?
The movie that is locked away for 100 years is titled 100 Years, an experimental film written by and starring John Malkovich and directed by Robert Rodriguez, created in 2015 and scheduled for release in 2115, promoting Louis XIII Cognac. The finished film is stored in a high-tech vault in France, with only 1,000 metal tickets distributed to ensure future generations can attend its premiere, keeping the plot a complete secret.
Is music over 50 years old copyright free?
Words - the lyrics of a song or spoken word recording are protected by copyright for 70 years after the author's death; Recording - the copyright for a recording lasts for 50 years after it is released.
Will Godzilla be in the public domain?
Gojira (1954) will become PUBLIC DOMAIN in 2032. While the copyright protection period for films is currently 70 years after release, Japan's former copyright law, replaced in 1971, set the period at 38 years after the creator's death.
Is Tom and Jerry a public domain?
No, classic Tom and Jerry cartoons are not currently in the public domain in the U.S.; they are owned by Warner Bros. and their copyright generally lasts 95 years from publication for studio works like these. While the very first cartoon featuring the characters (originally Jasper & Jinx) enters the public domain around 2036-2037, the core, well-known Tom and Jerry shorts remain protected, with newer iterations protected even longer, meaning you can't freely use them yet.
What will enter the public domain in 2030?
In 2030, works by creators who died in 1959, like poet Edwin Muir and crime writer Sax Rohmer, will enter the public domain in countries following life-plus-70-years rules, while in the U.S., works from 1925 will enter, including early stories by authors like Fitzgerald and Hemingway, alongside earlier film/music; notable comic characters like Donald Duck and King Kong are slated for the early 2030s, with Superman and Batman following in the mid-2030s.
Is Hello Kitty public domain?
Successful and recognizable cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, and Hello Kitty) are often protected by both copyright and trade mark laws. It is also not uncommon for right holders to try to enforce at least some of the rights in expired copyright works through trademarks.
Can I play 10 seconds of a copyrighted song?
No, there's no magical "10-second rule" for copyrighted music; using even a short clip can be copyright infringement, as fair use depends on context (commentary, criticism, education) and a judge's decision, not a specific time limit. While shorter clips are less likely to be detected or claimed, they aren't automatically legal, and the copyright holder can still issue takedowns, especially for commercial use where the myth is strongest.
What enters the public domain in 2035?
Important literary works that will enter the public domain in 2035 include James Joyce's final work Finnegans Wake, John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, Agatha Christie's crime novel And Then There Were None, Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep introducing Philip Marlowe, Richard Llewellyn's novel How Green Was My ...
Is Donald Duck in the public domain?
Donald Duck – 2036
Created in 1934, Donald Duck will enter the public domain in 2036. His short temper and iconic sailor outfit have made him one of Disney's most enduring characters.
What does "public domain" actually mean?
Materials that are in the "public domain" are works that are not protected by any kind of intellectual property laws, including copyright. Anyone may use public domain works without seeking permission from or compensating the copyright holder, including for commercial purposes.
Which Disney cartoon no longer falls under copyright laws?
What Disney Characters Entered the Public Domain in 2024? This year, the “Steamboat Willie” version of Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain. Originally released in 1928, this version of Mickey also appeared in the silent version of“Plane Crazy,” which introduced Minnie as his girlfriend.