The Walt Disney Company no longer has a grasp on all things Mickey Mouse.
The earliest version of the brand’s iconic mascot featured in Disney’s 1928 short film, “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain after 95 years under U.S. copyright law.
Although the “Steamboat Willie” Mickey doesn’t feature some of the mascot’s signature traits we know today, like his gloves and oversized shoes, the release into the public domain will now allow others to “re-envision” the earliest version of the character, per CNN.
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But while the “Steamboat Willie” copyright is now fair use, that doesn’t mean all versions
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