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Podcast: レアジョブ英会話 Daily News Article Podcast
Episode: Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me — with some caveats
Description: With several asterisks, qualifications, and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films, and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.
In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short “Steamboat Willie,” featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.
U.S. law allows copyright to be held for 95...