Early Mickey Mouse Version Becomes Top NFT On OpenSea After Copyright Expires
A historic moment unfolded on January 1 as an earlier iteration of Walt Disney Company’s beloved Mickey Mouse burst onto the digital scene, seizing the top spot in the non fungible token (NFT) realm on OpenSea. The 1928 version featured in the iconic short film “Steamboat Willie” became accessible to the public for the first time after its copyright expired, marking nearly a century since its initial release. The expiration of Disney’s copyright, limited to 95 years under U.S. law, triggered a surge in interest, propelling three NFT collections associated with the vintage mascot to dominate OpenSea’s 24-hour trending list.
The NFT collection titled “Steamboat Willie Public Domain 2024” secured the coveted number one position with an impressive $1.2 million in trading volume, showcasing the enthusiasm for this historic moment in the NFT community. Additionally, “Steamboat Willie” claimed the second spot, and “Steamboat Willie’s Riverboat” secured the third, highlighting the enduring appeal of this classic character in the digital age. The Steamboat Willie Public Domain 2024 collection also made a splash in the 24-hour top charts on OpenSea, securing the sixth and eighth positions alongside renowned collections like the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Pudgy Penguins.
Despite this development, Disney has reassured the public that the expiration of the copyright for the early Mickey Mouse does not impact the protection of modern iterations of the iconic character. In a statement to CNN, a Disney spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to safeguarding their rights in contemporary versions of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works. The spokesperson underscored Disney’s dedication to preventing consumer confusion arising from unauthorized uses of Mickey and their other iconic characters, signaling the ongoing importance of copyright protection in the evolving landscape of NFTs and digital art.
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