1905 Movie Network News As the copyright of Disney's 1928 black and white short film "Steamboat Willie" expires on New Year's Day this year, and the image of the first version of Mickey Mouse has officially become public property, the copyrights of well-known DC characters such as Superman and Batman are also facing expiration. It expires in more than ten years.
Within just 24 hours of the expiration of the copyright for the first version of Mickey Mouse, two Mickey Mouse horror films were officially announced. In the future, horror films such as Bambi and Peter Pan will take turns. After the original version of Mickey Mouse became the target of pranks by filmmakers, DC's many superhero characters may be the ones to suffer next. As the ancestor of superheroes, Superman made his debut in 1938. Therefore, after the 95-year copyright period has passed, the role of Superman will become public property in 2034.
Coincidentally, the copyright of Superman's girlfriend Lois Lane will also expire in 2034, Batman will expire in 2035, Joker will expire in 2036, and Wonder Woman will expire in 2037. In more than ten years, these DC superheroes may face the same fate as the first version of Mickey Mouse.
Some people in the industry bluntly said that once the copyright of these characters expires, a large number of unauthorized American comics will appear in bookstores. Hundreds of similar works will appear by then, and they will be ready to publish them. However, just like "Steamboat Willie", the first version of Mickey Mouse that became public property did not wear white gloves or exaggerated big shoes, and the eyes were painted differently from the modern version, so even if the copyrights of Superman and Batman are real by then Upon expiration, only the original versions of these characters will become public property.
