Influential content enters the public domain

Starting from January 1st, some influential content, such as the original versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, have entered the US public domain. This means that creators can now freely engage with these characters without the need for Disney's legal approval or payment of royalties. The popularity of social media and freelance content creation opens up opportunities for people to use these original characters to create their own works and tell their own stories, increasing the need for content already popular among the general public.