Mickey Mouse, the timeless mascot, now surges as the top-trending NFT on OpenSea, riding the wave of a significant copyright expiration linked to the iconic character’s 1928 version showcased in “Steamboat Willie,” entering the public domain on January 1.
The debut of Mickey Mouse in “Steamboat Willie” marked a milestone, and after almost a century, the copyright on this specific iteration concluded, aligning with the 95-year copyright duration in U.S. law. Post the copyright’s expiration, three NFT collections tied to this vintage version took the top spots in OpenSea’s 24-hour trending list.
“Steamboat Willie Public Domain 2024” claimed the number one position, clocking an impressive $1.2 million in trading volume. Concurrently, the collections “Steamboat Willie” and “Steamboat Willie’s Riverboat” secured second and third positions, contributing to the surge in Mickey-themed NFTs.
Amid this shift, Disney clarified that while the 1928 version’s copyright has expired, their rights over modern iterations of Mickey Mouse remain intact. They emphasized their commitment to protect their contemporary creations and prevent potential confusion regarding unauthorized use of their characters.
The entertainment giant is gearing up for Disney Pinnacle, an upcoming NFT marketplace. Although the release date remains undisclosed, fans can anticipate official digital collectibles featuring characters from beloved Disney-owned franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Toy Story. Disney’s foray into the NFT market is poised to elevate the digital collectibles space to new heights.
Related article: Disney’s Digital Leap: Unveiling Disney Pinnacle NFT Platform
