Disney to lose copyright of early version of Mickey Mouse

An early version of Mickey Mouse, one of the most iconic characters in popular culture, will no longer have copyright protection from 2024.Members of the public will be able to use the image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse featured in their first screen release, the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, after the copyright expires. US law allows copyright to be held for 95 years - with Congress expanding it several times during that period. Image: Walt Disney poses with a Mickey Mouse drawing in 1941. Pic: AP "It' ...