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ARTICLE · 05 FEBRUARY 2024

So, Can We Use Mickey Mouse In Our Business Now?

Aera A/S
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In the past weeks, you may have come across news stories highlighting the expiration of copyright protection for the original version of Mickey Mouse.

DenmarkIntellectual Property
Louise Mühlbach Breining
Louise Mühlbach Breining
Michael Sterndorff-Jessen
Michael Sterndorff-Jessen
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In the past weeks, you may have come across news stories highlighting the expiration of copyright protection for the original version of Mickey Mouse. This development has sparked some misconceptions with certain individuals assuming that any commercial use of Mickey Mouse is now legal due to the famous character entering the public domain in the United States. It's essential to clarify that this is not entirely the case, as explained below.

Copyright in the United States

When delving into the evolution of copyright in the United States, it's impossible to overlook the influence that Disney has wielded over the years. In 1998 the United States Congress passed the Copyright Term Extension Act, which extended the term of protection for creative works in the United States to 95 years after their initial publication.

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