Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Andrew Dalton at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.
On Jan. 1, 2026, a new collection of iconic works, including Betty Boop, Blondie, nine Mickey Mouse cartoons, classic detective novels, beloved films and songs, entered the public domain after reaching their 95-year U.S. copyright maximum.
Some key facts:
• Betty Boop’s first appearance from the 1930 short “Dizzy Dishes” enters the public domain, though the character’s trademark remains protected.
• Betty Boop originally appeared as a dog character with poodle ears before evolving into the iconic flapper with her signature look.
• Blondie Boopadoop from Chic Young’s 1930 newspaper comic strip becomes public domain, predating her 1933 marriage to Dagwood Bumstead.
• Nine new Mickey Mouse cartoons join the public domain, two years after “Steamboat Willie,” introducing Pluto (originally named Rover) to public use.
• Three iconic literary detectives become publicly available: Nancy Drew from “The Secret of the Old Clock,” Sam Spade from “The Maltese Falcon,” and Miss Marple from “Murder at the Vicarage.”
• Classic films entering public domain include the Marx Brothers’ “Animal Crackers,” “The Blue Angel” with Marlene Dietrich, and Oscar winners “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Cimarron.”
• George Gershwin classics “Embraceable You,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” “But Not for Me,” and “I Got Rhythm” become publicly available.
• “Georgia on My Mind” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” enter the public domain, along with 1925 recordings by artists such as Bessie Smith and Marian Anderson.
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