If you’re the creative type and you’re struggling to come up with your next idea, do not fear: some big works, including the original version of Mickey Mouse, are entering the public domain on Jan. 1 in the United States.
And if, on the other hand, you prefer your Disney characters to be cute, cuddly and never-changing, well … you might want to stop reading.
In 2024, thousands of copyrighted works published in 1928 are entering the public domain, after their 95-year term expires.
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The New York Times reached out to some writers, producers and directors to give you a taste of what might be unleashed in this strange new world.
“That great poets imitate and improve, whereas small ones steal and spoil.” -Alfred Tennyson
“Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal” -T. S. Eliot
“A good composer does not imitate; he steals.” -Igor Stravinsky
“I mean, Picasso had a saying, he said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” And we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.” -Steve Jobs
“I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.” -also Steve Jobs