The short answer
Yes, in the United States. Steamboat Willie was released in 1928, and U.S. copyright for works published that year lasted 95 years. That term ran out at the end of 2023, so the film entered the U.S. public domain on January 1, 2024.
That means anyone in the U.S. can now copy, share and build on the original 1928 film, including the characters exactly as they look in it.
A little history
Steamboat Willie premiered on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City. It was produced by Walt Disney and animated mainly by Ub Iwerks.
It was one of the first cartoons released with fully synchronized sound, and in 1998 the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance.
What is still protected
Only the 1928 film became public domain. Later cartoons, and the later versions of the characters that appear in them, are newer works with their own copyright terms, so many of them are still protected.
Trademarks are a separate issue. Copyright expires after a fixed term, but a trademark can last as long as its owner keeps using it to identify their products. The Walt Disney Company still holds trademarks, so public domain material cannot be used in a way that suggests Disney made, sponsored or approved a product.
Public domain status also differs from country to country. This guide covers the United States only.
How we use it
Our Steamboat Willie t-shirt reproduces a frame from the original 1928 film, the black-and-white image of the riverboat captain whistling at the wheel. Vintage Art T-Shirts is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company.
Quick answers
When did Steamboat Willie enter the public domain?
January 1, 2024, in the United States, when the 95-year copyright term for works published in 1928 ended.
Can I use later versions of the characters?
Not freely. Only the 1928 film entered the public domain. Later films and later character designs may still be under copyright.
Do trademarks still apply?
Yes. Trademarks do not expire on a fixed schedule, so you cannot use public domain material in a way that suggests a product comes from or is endorsed by the trademark owner.
