It’s here! In the intellectual property space, we don’t have many holidays of our own—with the exception of Public Domain Day. The “celebration” falls on January 1st every year, and it’s the day when copyrighted works that are a certain age become fully available to the public. To better understand exactly what Public Domain Day is, read our previous post when we celebrated in 2023!
How Artists and Creatives Can Celebrate Public Domain Day 2025
It’s here! In the intellectual property space, we don’t have many holidays of our own—with the exception of Public Domain Day.
Catherine Cavella, ESQ.
It’s here! In the intellectual property space, we don’t have many holidays of our own—with the exception of Public Domain Day. The “celebration” falls on January 1st every year, and it’s the day when copyrighted works that are a certain age become fully available to the public. To better understand exactly what Public Domain Day is, read our previous post when we celebrated in 2023!
This year, we’re seeing even more exciting and well-known works enter the public domain. This opens up doors for businesses and creatives alike to utilize more characters and stories to create their own versions of the stories or to elevate their own brands. But it’s about more than just accessing the works; it’s about understanding how to leverage them responsibly and effectively.
How to Properly Approach Public Domain Works
Not everything connected to a public domain work is free to use. First of all, you can only use what is actually public domain. Just because a character has become public domain does not mean all versions of that character can be used or that all stories related to them are available. For example, the initial Steamboat Willie stories where the original Mickey Mouse appeared entered the public domain last year, but certain designs and stories related to the modern Mickey Mouse are still protected by copyright — and as a valuable trademark signifying Disney. Similarly, Popeye’s 1929 debut is now in the public domain (as we’ll get into below), but other versions of the character and related content created after that year may still be protected. Always verify what’s actually available to use, or risk receiving a Cease & Desist.
Public domain status is effective as of January 1 of the applicable year. Using a work before that date can result in legal action. For example, releasing a trailer for a project using a character that enters the public domain in 2026 before January 1, 2026, would violate copyright law. Patience ensures your project stays on the right side of the law.
What’s Entering the Public Domain in 2025?
Public Domain Day brings a fresh wave of cultural treasures into the public domain, allowing unrestricted use in new artistic endeavors. This year, the list of notable works is exciting and diverse:
- Popeye
- 12 additional Steamboat Willie cartoons
- The character Tin Tin from The Adventures of Tin Tin
- The English version of “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque
- “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway
- Original sheet music for “Rhapsody in Blue”
- “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner
POWER YOUR IDEAS® with IP Works LawPublic Domain Day is a celebration of artistic freedom. The works entering the public domain offer a number of new opportunities to innovate, adapt, and honor the past while creating something fresh. You can turn these timeless pieces into modern masterpieces by understanding the rules and partnering with knowledgeable professionals. The next great creative project could start with you—and Public Domain Day might be the perfect spark. Contact IP Works Law today and POWER YOUR IDEAS® for the future.
Catherine Cavella
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