New Woody Woodpecker series on YouTube

[triplexxx]

A new series of the lovable woodpecker directed by Alex Zamm, from the movie last year, also with Eric Bauza continuing his voice, has just been released on YouTube a few days ago. Features the classic characters and looks pretty cool.

[triplexxx]

A little late in mentioning, but after a two-year hiatus and with a new director, Mike Milo, the second season has been released on YouTube over the last 2 months.

[Wildcat]

I had no idea about these and they’re actually free. I just watched one. Really cool.

I need to see the live action movie. I though it was in a foreign language but it is in English.

[sdp]

Isn't woody woodpecker in the public domain or will be? Same with Felix the cat? I know Mickey will be in like 3 years (it feels like it's always like 3 years away).
I wonder how much non-amateur stuff we'll get from those characters hitting public domain. Superman and Batman can't be that far behind, exciting times.

[Wildcat]

Those characters will never be public domain. Not the way people think. From what I understand about Felix the Cat only his very first version is public domain. So I guess only the original cartoons (whatever that’s considered) can be used freely.

Maybe it’s similar for other franchises that have really old material based on them but they’re definitely not public domain. Especially not Superman, Batman or Mickey Mouse.

This is just stupid. Not about public domain but worth mentioning.

http://www.mickey.com.py/
https://lavoz.bard.edu/archivo/article.php?id=1206643

I’m aware that other companies also unofficially use Sonic as their mascot but for whatever reason Sega does not stop them. It’s pretty cool though and Sega apparently sees no harm in it.

Not that that makes it ok but they’re not ripping him off. If you look them up they’re basically just using him as decoration. Unlike that spice company who registered it before Disney but can only use that specific image and nowhere else.

[sdp]

Mickey will be public domain January 1, 2024 and between 2031 and 2035 that'll also include Superman, Batman, many Looney Toons and Disney characters.

[Wildcat]

It’s just Steamboat Willie and Disney will probably find a way to renew their rights or get it extended. Even if it happens what can really be created if limited to exactly 1 specific short?

So there could be Disney’s Steamboat Willie and then Bizarro Steamboat Willie. What’s the point? People already do parody and fan works.

Who wants access to only Steamboat Willie?

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by sdp

Mickey will be public domain January 1, 2024.

Never happening. Copyright law keeps changing to keep Mickey tied to Disney. It will happen again.

[sdp]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

It’s just Steamboat Willie and Disney will probably find a way to renew their rights or get it extended. Even if it happens what can really be created if limited to exactly 1 specific short?

So there could be Disney’s Steamboat Willie and then Bizarro Steamboat Willie. What’s the point? People already do parody and fan works.

Who wants access to only Steamboat Willie?

You can have mickey in other situations, just not the white gloves and pink face modern mickey. You want the white gloves? Wait 4 more years and companies will be able to use them, same if you want his extended cast of characters. The more years pass the more different aspects will become public domain. I mean Disney likes to make tons of steamboat willie merchandise so definitely some people like THAT version of mickey.

It's happening, unsure why some people are against it, it's only going to be good for the property and see what others can do with the character. I can't wait to see non DC stories of Batman/Superman, sure we won't be getting the superman with all the superpowers initially but it'll happen and perhaps that gimped superman can give us better movies than DC has done.

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

Never happening. Copyright law keeps changing to keep Mickey tied to Disney. It will happen again.

Definitely won't be, new works have been hitting public domain now again and none of the copyright lobbies have made any attempt since they know it won't happen. It was basically extended because in the 80s and 90s these old copyrighted works were getting tons of money, nowadays thanks to the internet in a way exploiting public domain stuff has become a money generator so the government won't want to stop that.

[Wildcat]

You’re telling me if Steamboat Willie enters public domain it’s not just that specific cartoon but that Mickey design will be entirely free to use?

How is that good for the property? It’s basically giving away a character (even if it’s an early form). Licensing and stuff is a different thing.

I know some stories being public domain have allowed for movies based on them but that seems more broad. Not sure those original works were considered brands somehow but these characters are brands.

Who are these other popular characters already available in the public domain you’re referring to? You mean mainstream characters?

[Voltron]

It's funny you say that. Most of Disney's money came from stories in the public domain. Almost every princess movie they've made has been around for a long time. They really got the best of both worlds on that front.

[sdp]

Yes, when (not if) steamboat willie enters public domain anything from there can be used for anything else. It's not going to be good for Disney that's for sure but for the character it'll be great, imagine all the great stories that some people may be able to tell with Mickey now that they don't need to worry about Disney.
Sure you'll get tons of crappy stuff as well but you can just ignore those like we ignore the crappy public domain stories in this day and age.

[neatoman]

Alright let's just stop here. I'm sick of seeing people argue about copyright in stupid, ill-informed ways. This is what it's like, alright:

1. Copyright law differs from country to country but in general the rule is Lifetime +70 years. Copyright is officially up the first of January after the author died. For example, this means all of Tolkien will enter the public domain on January first 2044.
2. In the United States, corporate copyright lasts 95 years after publication. For Mickey Mouse, he'll enter the public domain on January first 2024.
3. Publication is key here, nearly every copyright law in the world states it.
4. While it depends on the country, the shorter copyright condition is the one that applies. This means Disney can't Mickey Mouse define the copyright expiration of Mickey Mouse on Walt Disney's death (January first 2037) nor can Return of the King expire 95 years after publication (January first 2051).
5. Yes, copyright right law can be extended in the United States but in order to "save" Mickey Mouse this would have been done three years ago.
6. Trademarks are not a perfect substitute for Copyright. It prevents people outside the Disney company to market something as "Mickey Mouse" but that's about it, the character can still be used by them provided the character design isn't too similiar.
7. As for the latter part, this can be very loose. MGM does allegedly have the Trademark on their design of the Wicked Witch of the East since it differs greatly from the book, but you'll still find ones clearly copying their design.
8. "Only the original versions" is a flimsy argument as well. Yes, new Batman stories created outside DC the first year of PD Batman can't use the Joker but that does not apply the next year. Everything eventually enters the public domain, no company or estate gets to keep it forever.
9. In the United States, perpetual copyright would be considered unconstitutional. The constitution does state "limited time". 95 years might be absurdly long for a "limited time" but it technically is.
10. Finally, some countries don't even have copyright laws, meaning everything there was always considered public domain.

Please by all means, fact check this if you want to.

The point is, regardless of wheter or not Woody Woodpecker, Felix the Cat or Mickey Mouse are public domain or if they differ too much now from "the oiriginal versions" is not that relevant. They will be public domain one day because there is no such thing as perpetual copyright.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Voltron

It's funny you say that. Most of Disney's money came from stories in the public domain. Almost every princess movie they've made has been around for a long time. They really got the best of both worlds on that front.

Ya I said stories being public domain have allowed for movies. Obviously from Disney too. Princesses, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast etc.

The big difference is Mickey Mouse is the brand/logo/mascot for their entire corporation. That’s why I do not believe it will happen.

That company I linked above can only use that 1 side image and nowhere else in the world...but we’re all gonna get his old design for free? I don’t see it.

[neatoman]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Ya I said stories being public domain have allowed for movies. Obviously from Disney too. Princesses, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast etc.

The big difference is Mickey Mouse is the brand/logo/mascot for their entire corporation. That’s why I do not believe it will happen.

That company I linked above can only use that 1 side image and nowhere else in the world...but we’re all gonna get his old design for free? I don’t see it.

Right above you, I gave a detailed explaination for why that is wrong. Mickey Mouse will go Public Domain because corporations are not entitled to perpetual copyright, the only thing Disney could do in an attempt to prevent it would be to strictly enforce trademarks, and all that would be is an expensive never-ending project to prevent others from using the title Mickey Mouse, it would not prevent anyone from using the character or distributing whatever Mickey Mouse material that has fallen into the Public Domain. Everything goes Public Domain eventually.

[Wildcat]

I read it and have looked up this subject before.

The most I can see happening is the cartoon short becomes free to use. Like royalty free. I have a hard time believing Mickey himself (in that form) will become available. I could be wrong but I’m sure Disney will at least try to extend it.

[neatoman]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I read it and have looked up this subject before.

The most I can see happening is the cartoon short becomes free to use. Like royalty free. I have a hard time believing Mickey himself (in that form) will become available. I could be wrong but I’m sure Disney will at least try to extend it.

You are indeed wrong. Disney needs to lobby for legislation, they don't have the power to extend the copyright on Mickey Mouse themselves. If the laws were changed yet again, corporate copyright would last 120 years which wouldn't really benefit Disney or any other corporation for that matter since it would just result in orphan works and disputed copyrights, which is probably why they didn't lobby back in 2018 when it would have been ideal to do so.

[oldmanwinters]

Came here for news on Woody. Got bogged down by "mickey mouse" home-lawyers!

[Coola Yagami]

Eh, the new Woody cartoons kinda suck.

[triplexxx]

3rd season up on YouTube