Famous Intellectual Properties Entering the Public Domain in 2025

The public domain is a treasure trove for creatives and businesses alike. When iconic intellectual properties (IPs) join the public domain, they become freely available for use. This allows small businesses, writers, and creative professionals to reimagine and transform timeless works without copyright constraints. 

Why should you care? Some legendary IPs are headed to the public domain in 2025, and you can use them in your marketing and branding with guidance from an experienced attorney. From groundbreaking literary works to beloved comic book characters and animated classics, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the creative community. 

The attorneys at Emerson Thomson Bennett will walk you through what the public domain is, the famous IPs set to join it, and why protecting your own intellectual property remains crucial in this evolving landscape. 

What is the Public Domain?

The public domain refers to creative works no longer protected by copyright or other intellectual property laws. Once a work enters the public domain, anyone can use, copy, modify, and distribute it without seeking permission or paying royalties. 

But it’s important to note that with characters and works with multiple appearances and printings, the entire character/series does not enter all at once. Each work enters one at a time.

When do works enter the public domain in the U.S.?

Under current U.S. copyright law, most works are protected for the creator’s lifetime plus an additional 70 years. However, for works published before 1978, copyright term extensions have led to a steady stream entering the public domain each year. Starting January 1, 2025, works first published in 1929 will become free to use. 

Why is this significant? It works to inspire innovation, enabling modern reinterpretations, empowering educational resources, and allowing for new creative projects, all while preserving the works for future generations. 

Famous IPs Entering the Public Domain in 2025 

These five works are some truly remarkable creations entering the public domain in 2025. Here’s an overview of the most anticipated additions and their cultural significance. 

1. All Quiet on the Western Front

The U.S. translation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1928 anti-war masterpiece will officially join the public domain on January 1, 2025. Celebrated for its harrowing depiction of World War I, the novel influenced countless readers and filmmakers. 

With its inclusion, creators can now adapt or reinterpret this pivotal work in new and exciting ways. While it has been adapted several times, this makes it possible for even more.

2. The Opry House & The Skeleton Dance

For vintage Disney fans, the animated shorts The Opry House and The Skeleton Dance are monumental. Released in 1929, The Opry House was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon to feature his iconic gloves. 

Meanwhile, The Skeleton Dance was the inaugural Silly Symphony cartoon, showcasing Walt Disney’s innovative storytelling techniques. Their entry will open up fresh opportunities for derivative works, parodies, and homages. 

It’s important to note that this does not include the symbolism of Mickey Mouse used in Disney logos and other noteworthy trademarks.

3. Popeye the Sailor Man

Popeye, the spinach-loving sailor who debuted as a supporting character in E.C. Segar’s comic strip Thimble Theatre, became a global icon. His 1929 debut introduced him as a gruff yet lovable character, embodying resilience and humor. The public domain will soon welcome Popeye, opening up the possibilities for reinventing this classic character. 

4. Buck Rogers

Sci-fi enthusiasts, rejoice! The 1929 comic strips featuring Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. will become public domain. Buck Rogers began as “Anthony Rogers” in Philip Francis Nowlan’s novella Armageddon 2419 A.D. but evolved into an action-packed hero in serialized comic strips. This addition paves the way for new space adventures, retellings, and potential TV or film adaptations. 

5. Tintin

Hergé’s Tintin, the adventurous young journalist first serialized in Le Petit Vingtième in 1929 with Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, will also enter the public domain in certain jurisdictions. Though this rollout varies globally, Tintin’s pending availability signals an exciting landscape for contemporary creators to explore and adapt his escapades. 

This does not include recent adaptations that you may be more familiar with. This only includes the version of the IP from the original serialized comic.

The Importance of Protecting Your Intellectual Property

While public domain IPs unlock infinite creative possibilities, they also underscore the value of protecting your own intellectual property. For businesses and independent creatives, safeguarding your original works ensures others cannot unfairly benefit from your ideas, creations, or brand identity. 

Why should you protect your work?

• Brand Integrity: Protect your work from unapproved use or misrepresentation. 
• Monetary Rights: Ensure you’re compensated for the use of your creations. 
• Competitive Advantage: Maintain a unique edge by safeguarding innovations. 

At Emerson Thomson Bennett, we help our clients secure their IP rights, from copyrights and trademarks to patents. Protecting your work is just as essential as creating it.

Use Famous Public Domain IPs With the Help of ETB Law

The public domain offers incredible opportunities for innovation and creativity but requires thoughtful navigation to make sure you’re only utilizing what’s in the public domain. Understanding what becomes public and how to use it ethically can elevate your projects while safeguarding your intellectual property. 

If you need help protecting your work or navigating the complexities of intellectual property laws, contact Emerson Thomson Bennett today. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through preserving your creative legacy.