Mickey enters public domain (YouTube Video Transcript)

(00:00:00) Your YouTube transcript will appear here (00:00:00) Remember the original Mickey Mouse, (00:00:03) better known as Steamboat Willie? (00:00:06) He made his debut in the 1928 animated (00:00:09) short film of the same name, directed by (00:00:11) Walt Disney and Eyeworks. (00:00:16) Now this morning, Mickey and thousands (00:00:18) of other classic works are entering (00:00:20) public domain following the expiration (00:00:22) of a 95-year copyright term. In other (00:00:25) words, this Mickey is up for grabs for (00:00:28) anyone that wants to use this specific (00:00:30) version without permission. (00:00:31) >> I got to figure out how to make money on (00:00:33) this thing. It's simply too good. (00:00:36) >> Across social media, users reacting to (00:00:38) the news. One posting, hey, check out (00:00:41) this new character I came up with. A (00:00:43) spokesperson for Disney saying more (00:00:45) modern versions of Mickey will remain (00:00:47) unaffected. Adding Mickey will continue (00:00:50) to play a leading role as a global (00:00:52) ambassador for the Walt Disney Company. (00:00:54) and our storytelling, theme park (00:00:55) attractions, and merchandise. (00:00:58) It's not just Mickey. The original (00:01:00) Minnie Mouse and Tiger will also be (00:01:02) joining the lot. (00:01:03) >> I'm Tiger. (00:01:04) >> As well as JM Barry's Peter Pan. (00:01:09) >> Now, you might be wondering, what's the (00:01:11) big deal? Winnie the Pooh's copyright (00:01:13) ran out in 2022, and shortly thereafter, (00:01:16) a slasher film titled Winnie the Pooh (00:01:18) Blood and Honey hit theaters, leading to (00:01:20) outrage from fans all over the world. (00:01:23) Even the film's director said he (00:01:25) experienced death threats. Now Steamboat (00:01:27) Willy's Mickey will be at the center of (00:01:29) a horror video game, Infestation 88. (00:01:32) With the creators saying they're looking (00:01:33) to infuse nostalgia with terror. (00:01:36) >> Thought it was just rodents, but there's (00:01:38) something else in here. (00:01:39) >> And it's not just these characters from (00:01:41) your childhood, but also works from (00:01:43) literary masters like Agatha Christie (00:01:45) and Virginia Wolf. Music like Mac the (00:01:48) Knife, often performed by Louis (00:01:50) Armstrong. Wait, dear. (00:01:53) >> And the unforgettable Charlie Chaplan (00:01:55) with his film The Circus. (00:01:57) All now free for use. (00:02:02) Now Disney holds a separate trademark on (00:02:04) Mickey as a corporate mascot, which (00:02:05) means it's illegal for anyone to use the (00:02:08) Steamboat Willie version of Mickey to (00:02:10) trick customers into thinking a product (00:02:12) or film is endorsed by Disney. So, there (00:02:16) is another Winnie the Pooh slasher film (00:02:19) coming out this year. (00:02:21) >> Wait, what (00:02:22) >> exactly? And so, that's the thing. It's (00:02:24) not all iterations of Mickey Mouse. It's (00:02:27) this specific one from 1928, the (00:02:29) specific Minnie Mouse. But now, if (00:02:31) you're starting to see these characters (00:02:34) pop up in horror movies or horror video (00:02:38) games, now you'll know why. But you'll (00:02:39) also know that it's not endorsed by (00:02:42) Disney. (00:02:42) >> I hope they don't start doing that with (00:02:44) Steve. (00:02:44) >> Please don't. Please don't. And by the (00:02:46) way, you dressed the part for this uh (00:02:47) today, Chloe the Lost. (00:02:49) >> Of course you did. (00:02:50) >> I just need the ears. (00:02:52) >> Understood the assignment. (00:02:53) >> All right, Chloe. (00:02:54) >> Thank you, Chloe. (00:02:55) >> Hey, thanks for watching. Don't miss the (00:02:57) Today Show every weekday at 11:00 a.m. (00:02:59) Eastern, 8 Pacific on our streaming (00:03:02) channel, Today All Day. To watch, head (00:03:04) to today.com/allday (00:03:07) or click the link right here.