Every January 1, pop culture quietly resets in the U.S. Old books, films, TV shows, photos, comic strips, songs, and more lose their copyright protection and enter the public domain, transforming from ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — As we start 2026, you may have heard familiar names like Betty Boop, Nancy Drew, and Mickey Mouse's dog Pluto have all entered what's called the public domain. It's all to do ...

New Year's Day commemorates the passing of time and the start of a new chapter, so it is fitting that the same day also presents an opportunity to breathe new life into thousands of creative works ...

One of the most unusual of the creative treasures to enter the public domain this month is King of Jazz. The plotless, experimental 1930 musical film shot in early Technicolor centers on influential ...

Betty Boop is one of the most iconic cartoons of the 20th century. A pinup drawn to look like a 1920s flapper, the character debuted nearly a century ago and quickly became a household name: In 1932, ...

Books featuring a trio of iconic detectives — Nancy Drew, Sam Spade and Miss Marple — are also entering the public domain this year. By The Associated Press Betty Boop and Blondie are joining Mickey ...

Several Disney cartoons and characters from 1930 have entered the public domain this year. Works in the public domain are no longer protected by copyright and can be freely used and shared. Other ...

As 2026 begins, so does a new chapter for creativity. Thousands of books, films, songs and works of art from the early 20th century are now officially in the public domain, meaning anyone can legally ...

The year 1930 brought about a slew of raunchy films, the debut of Betty Boop, and the first iteration of Disney’s most famous dog. The year 1930 brought about a slew of raunchy films, the debut of ...

A new year means a new parade of classic characters and works entering the public domain. Under U.S. law, the copyright on thousands of creations from 1930 — including films, books, musical ...

From films featuring the Marx brothers and early Betty Boop, to a Faulkner classic, and "Body and Soul," these artistic works are free game on January 1. For many filmmakers, publishers, programmers, ...

LOS ANGELES -- Betty Boop and "Blondie" are joining Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh in the public domain. The first appearances of the classic cartoon and comic characters are among the pieces of ...