Mickey Mouse is a character that first appeared in 1928. It has been nearly 100 years since he came into this world.

The first animation, Steamboat Willie, was released on November 18, 1928, and this day is considered Mickey Mouse's birthday. At that time, the copyright for Mickey Mouse was granted to Disney, and since then, this character has become a symbol of Disney for decades.

The copyright protection period for Mickey Mouse lasts until 95 years from the year of his first appearance.

As of 2023, the copyright for Mickey Mouse's first film, Steamboat Willie, has expired, which means he has entered the "public domain." However, Mickey Mouse is still protected by many other animations and trademarks, so complete free use is not yet possible.

Mickey Mouse's design has continued to change over time, and Disney has created various new versions of Mickey Mouse.

For example, since the mid-1930s, Mickey Mouse's design has continuously evolved, and the latest designs are still protected by Disney's copyright and trademark rights. Additionally, Mickey Mouse is registered as a trademark, allowing exclusive rights over various products related to the brand.

The original design of Mickey Mouse was somewhat different from today. Initially, it featured a simple round face and large ears, and over time, the design gradually became more detailed.

If the early design had been maintained, Mickey Mouse could have been protected in his original form even now, but as time has passed, Mickey Mouse has continued to evolve, resulting in various versions. These changes play a significant role in copyright and trademark protection.

Therefore, the latest designs of Mickey Mouse or products and logos using Mickey Mouse, excluding the one from Steamboat Willie, are still protected by Disney's copyright and trademark rights. Thus, using the latest Mickey Mouse images still requires Disney's permission.

As Mickey Mouse's copyright faced expiration, Disney lobbied Congress to pass a bill extending the copyright protection period. As a result, the copyright protection period for Mickey Mouse has been continuously extended. In fact, Disney has been very active in lobbying to protect their brand through this legislation.

Mickey Mouse is protected not only by copyright but also by trademark protection. Disney utilizes Mickey Mouse as a brand, exercising exclusive rights over products and theme parks related to Mickey Mouse's image. Therefore, if you want to use Mickey Mouse's image, you must consider both copyright and trademark rights.