Every year in the United States of America, the first of January brings a new class of creative works into the public domain, inspiring people with a wealth of stories, characters, and melodies previously locked behind the iron gates of copyright.
While the past years have seen the introduction of a diverse range of artworks and iconic figures into the public domain, the upcoming year promises its own treats, with notable comic characters like Popeye and Tintin joining the long list of characters already in the public domain.
Popeye is set to enter the public domain in 2025
Popeye the Sailor Man, known for his bulging forearms, humorous words, and vicious attitude, was created by E.C. Segar and made his debut in the newspaper comic Thimble Theater in 1929. Quickly capturing the minds of young readers, the character became popular over several decades with numerous adaptations into comic books, cartoons, video games, and movies.
Almost a century since its unveiling, the comic character is now set to make a grand entry into the public domain in January 2025. However, just like with its predecessors, Winnie-the-Pooh and Mickey Mouse, which became freely available in 2022 and 2024, respectively, it is the original version of Popeye that is free for public use, while his secret weapon, spinach, which gives him his superhuman capabilities, is excluded as it did not become a part of the story until 1932.
Books, movies, and music join Popeye in the public domain
Aside from Popeye, other creative works of various categories will be in the public domain by 2025. Books from notable authors such as William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Agatha Christie, and Dashiell Hammett have also made the cut.
Also, movies and musical renditions like The Skeleton Dance, Blackmail, The Wild Party, Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen, Deep Blue Sea Blues, and California Here I Come are part of the long list of creative works scheduled for the upcoming year.