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.
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
