The Mickey Mouse copyright expiration could impact Disney's future with the classic character now entering the public domain. In January 2024, the copyright on Steamboat Willie, an animated short that was the first story that ever featured Mickey Mouse expired. With the copyright expiration of Disney's most iconic figure, many may think that this will inevitably lead to other creators and members of the public being able to use Mickey Mouse in their own creative work going forward. While there have already been moves to take advantage of the Mickey Mouse copyright expiration, it is not as simple as that.

https://screenrant.com/mickey-mouse-copyright-expiration-explained/