Public Domain Day

Public Domain Day marks the occasion copyrights expire, allowing works to enter the public domain. This transition typically occurs each year on January 1, in accordance with the copyright laws of individual countries.

Public Domain Day 2024 All published works from 1928 entered the public domain in 2024. This included the animated short film Steamboat Willie, featuring Mickey Mouse.

Public Domain Day 2025 All songs, art, films and books from the 1920s entered into the public domain in the United States, (only exception being sound recordings) as well sas Popeye, Tintin and a Hemingway novel.

Public Domain Day 2026 The earliest version of Betty Boop will enter the public domain in 2026. It will also be the first time since 1977 that a new decade of works, the 1930s, will begin to uniformly enter the public domain in the United States.