January 1, 2024 is Public Domain Day

I don&#x27;t think anybody ever thought they&#x27;d live to see the day when Mickey Mouse entered the public domain. I&#x27;m still not sure I&#x27;ll believe it until the clock strikes midnight and Congress actually lets it happen.<p>Tomorrow is easily the most important and consequential Public Domain Day in recent memory. Even if it isn&#x27;t the most recognizable version of Mickey Mouse, this is still an enormous symbolic victory.

Interesting that &quot;Yes! We Have No Bananas&quot; will be public domain just in time to be relevant again. I don&#x27;t know the current status of the fungus attacking Cavendish bananas, but it&#x27;s been discussed here on HN at least once.

Some related&#x2F;recent discussions:<p><i>Mickey, Disney, and the public domain: A 95-year love triangle</i><p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=38678021">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=38678021</a><p><i>Public Domain Day 2024 Is Coming: Here&#x27;s What to Know</i><p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=38586978">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=38586978</a>

Looking forward to a brief rush of editorial cartoon-level works doing absolutely nothing not already covered by parody or fair use. Maybe a bad horror or porn movie.<p>Then nothing, just like happened with Winnie the Pooh.

We&#x27;ve never had something of this prominence go into public domain.