Why Disney’s Most Iconic Character is entering the Public Domain (Lawyer Explains)

*Squarespace* ► Head to to save 10% off your first purchase! Our videos are made possible by Members of CorridorDigital, our Exclusive Streaming Service! Try a membership yourself with a 14-Day Free Trial ► Jake explains why after 95 years, the copyright in Mickey Mouse is entering the public domain and why Disney is going to do nothing about it. Lawyer Explains the Legality of A.i. Art ► Leave a comment on which topic you’d like us to explain next! Helpful Sources ► Harvard Research Paper: Saving Mickey Research Paper: Legal Blog: Legal Blog: Landau Research Paper: #_ftn11 Acquisitions by Disney: NY Times Article: Deviant Art Timeline: Creative Tools ► Puget Computers: Aputure Lights: B&H Photo: ActionVFX: Cinema4D: KitBash 3D: Houdini: Nuke: Octane Render: Epidemic Music: Chapters ► 00:00 Disney is losing Mickey?! 00:26 Why copyrights? In simple terms 01:39 Steamboat Willie, the OG Mickey 02:31 How do you lose a copyright? 03:29 How Mickey got 95 years of copyright protection 05:04 The Big Mouse lobby 07:12 Disney’s one big mistake 08:54 Why Disney isn’t doing anything this time 12:40 Disney the Behemoth 13:53 That whole Trademark thing 14:24 Where we go from here