The release of the 2023 movie “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” marks the beginning of a new era brought on by the expiration of copyright on classic characters like Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse. This has opened up a world of possibilities for creators to reshape and reimagine these beloved characters into new stories and ideas. In the case of Winnie the Pooh, this has led to the creation of sequels and plans for a “Poohniverse” that includes other twisted public domain characters like Bambi and Pinocchio.
With more classic characters set to enter the public domain in the coming years, such as King Kong, Superman, Batman, the Joker, and Wonder Woman, the possibilities for new stories are vast. However, there is also the risk of repetition and fatigue as audiences may grow tired of seeing variations of the same old stories. Creators and industry experts are split on whether this influx of public domain characters will lead to a resurgence in creativity or a decline in intellectual property values.
While some creators are excited about the potential to reinterpret classic works like “The Great Gatsby” in new and innovative ways, others are more skeptical about the impact of the expiration of copyright on intellectual property. Disney, known for protecting its valuable rights in entertainment, has had a mixed relationship with fan art and fan fiction. The company has often turned time-tested folktales and novels into modern classics, but also closely guards its intellectual property.
Musicians like Bob Dylan were instrumental in rallying for the 1998 law that extended copyright by 20 years. However, younger generations of musicians who grew up in a culture of sampling and remixing did not show the same level of support for further extensions. Artists like Jimmy Tamborello, who record electronic music under various names, are generally open to allowing others to turn their work into new creations, but are wary of companies that come between them.
The intersection of copyright expirations and the rise of remix culture has the potential to reshape some of history’s most renowned characters in ways that have not been considered before. While some are excited about the possibilities for collaboration and creativity, others are more cautious about the impact on intellectual property values and the potential for fatigue among audiences. The future of public domain characters and the creative industry as a whole remains uncertain as we navigate this new era of storytelling and artistic expression.
