These new works enter the public domain now that 2025 has officially begun

The arrival of January 1, 2025, brings with it a wealth of new works entering the public domain, allowing the public to freely utilize and build upon a range of iconic creations. Following the notable loss of copyright protections for many celebrated properties in 2024, including the original Mickey Mouse, 2025 marks a significant milestone with the inclusion of several enduring literary and cultural works. Among these are Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" and the classic character Popeye.

Starting from January 1, 2025, works published in 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 will be free to use in the U.S., effectively releasing a host of materials from the vibrant Roaring Twenties into the public domain. This transition highlights the important cultural contributions made during that era, granting unrestricted access to a newfound assortment of literature, music, films, and art.

When a piece of work enters the public domain, it means there is no longer any copyright protection on it. As Jennifer Jenkins from Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain points out, this allows for easier access: "No fees, no licenses, no tracking down the person who owns it, no permission." This principle is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, which aims to promote the progress of science and useful arts through the eventual release of works from copyright.

The lifespan of copyright can be complex; for many works published before 1978, protection lasts for 95 years, while works created afterward typically enjoy protection for the author's lifetime plus an additional 70 years. Notably, while Mickey Mouse became free to use in 2024, this applies only to his first appearance in "Steamboat Willie." His later iterations, such as the iconic white-gloved version from 1929, remained protected until now.

Anticipation is building for 2026, which promises to further expand the public domain by releasing works from 1930, including characters like early Betty Boop, Pluto the dog, and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. These additions will continue to enrich our cultural landscape, demonstrating the ongoing impact of public domain laws on creative expression and innovation.