As their copyrights expire, books, music and films - from Sherlock Holmes and "The Great Gatsby," to Walt Disney's original Mickey Mouse - enter the public domain, inspiring new creative ideas ...

But 2025 is not far behind with several iconic books, characters and more freely available for public use. This year will see works from 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 entering the public domain.

Here are the books and characters newly joining the list of works in the public domain in 2025. Latest U.S.

Steamboat Willie, lMickey Mouse, 1928). Many iconic copyrighted works (most notably, Mickey Mouse) that were first published prior to 1929 fell into the public domain in the United States starting ...

For example, when Superman enters the public domain in 2033, new character variations must be based on how he appeared in DC Comics' "Action Comics #1" in 1938.

After ‘Winnie The Pooh,’ Here’s A List Of Characters And Books That Will Hit The Public Domain Soon. Mike Redmond Contributing Writer Twitter. October 20, 2023.

The compositions for several great songs joined the public domain today. There are memorable show tunes like Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris alongside jazz standards Ain't Misbehavin ...

2026 will see the public domain welcome Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse’s trusted dog Pluto and friend Clarabelle Cow, and Nancy Drew. Tagged: Breaking News, Mickey Mouse, Popeye. Next Article.

Books by authors W.E.B. Du Bois, Agatha Christie, D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf and Robert Frost will now be public domain, among thousands of others.