Mickey Mouse will soon belong to you and me — with some caveats

Mickey Mouse balloons appear at Disneyland Paris, May 12, 2015, in Chessy, France, east of Paris. The earliest version of Disney's most famous character, Mickey Mouse, and arguably the most iconic character in American pop culture, will become public domain on Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

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By Associated Press

December 14, 2023 at 5:02 AM UTC

Updated on

December 30, 2023 at 6:59 PM UTC

LOS ANGELES (AP) — M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.

With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.