As 2025 begins, a new wave of creative works enters the public domain, marking the latest chapter in a tradition that celebrates free use and reuse. This year’s batch includes iconic characters like Popeye, Tintin, and even cartoon legends like Steamboat Willie.
The concept of public domain day is simple: on January 1st, copyrights expire, allowing artists to take existing works and add their own creative spin. The results can be surprising, with unexpected mashups and reinterpretations becoming a reality. For example, Charlie Brown as a club DJ or Elmo as a CIA agent are now eligible for public domain use.
Among the literary classics entering the public domain this year are Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own”, Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms”, and Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet on the Western Front”. These timeless stories can now be reimagined by new generations of writers.
In music, iconic songs like Jack Yellen and Milton Ager’s “Happy Days Are Here Again” and Cole Porter’s “What is this Thing Called Love?” are also entering the public domain. This means artists can now remix, reinterpret, or reimagine these classic tunes to create something entirely new.
Interestingly, Mickey Mouse (the original version of Steamboat Willie) enters the public domain in 2025, with his first words becoming available for free use. However, it’s essential to note that this only applies to the specific version of the character portrayed during the expiring year – subsequent versions remain under copyright.
As the world celebrates public domain day, one thing is certain: the possibilities are endless, and the creative potential is limitless.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2025/01/02/public-domain-2025-popeye-tintin/77398769007