Betty Boop Enters Public Domain
The Hollywood Reporter••entertainment
Key Points:
- On January 1, 2026, iconic characters Betty Boop, Blondie, Mickey Mouse, and Winnie the Pooh enter the U.S. public domain as their 95-year copyright terms expire, allowing creators to use and repurpose these works without permission or payment.
- Betty Boop’s earliest 1930 cartoon appearances, including her original dog-like design, become publicly available, though her trademark remains protected, limiting commercial merchandise use.
- Classic detective novels featuring Nancy Drew, Sam Spade, and Miss Marple also enter the public domain, alongside literary works like William Faulkner’s "As I Lay Dying" and the Dick and Jane readers.
- Several notable films from the early 1930s, including Marx Brothers
