Okay, so this is awesome news for us gamers! Two really famous cartoon characters are now officially free to use in games – meaning developers can build anything they want with them without worrying about copyright! I’m super excited to see what creative stuff people come up with now.
I was so excited to learn that some of the very first Betty Boop and Pluto cartoons are entering the public domain on January 1st, 2026! Basically, because those early versions were created back in 1930, the copyright protection is finally running out after 95 years. It’s going to be amazing to see what creative things people do with those classic characters now!
Now, creators are free to use these characters in things like games, animations, and comics without needing to ask permission or pay any fees, as long as they use the publicly available versions of the characters.
What versions are now public domain
Only the earliest depictions of Betty Boop and Pluto are covered by the public domain status.
Betty Boop’s earliest appearances, starting with her debut in the 1930 cartoon ‘Dizzy Dishes,’ are now in the public domain. These original versions of the character have a slightly different look and personality than the later, more polished Betty Boop designs that are still under copyright.
Pluto is in the public domain for his earliest designs, dating back to 1930 when he first appeared in Disney cartoons as a dog pal. However, any changes made to Pluto’s look, personality, or how he’s presented in later movies are still protected by copyright.
Game creators are now free to use these older versions in their games, whether they’re making small indie titles or large, popular ones. They can reimagine the characters as players, supporting characters, or parts of the story, as long as the designs and personalities are clearly inspired by the original, public-domain content.
When creating content, developers should steer clear of designs, stories, or branding that are strongly linked to Disney or Fleischer Studios’ more recent work. This means avoiding elements that are clearly from later years and recognizable as belonging to those studios’ modern styles.
Starting in 2024, the original version of Mickey Mouse from ‘Steamboat Willie’ is now free for anyone to use, inspiring new characters in films and video games.
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2026-01-03 00:19