Betty Boop, 'Blondie' enter public domain in 2026, accompanied by a trio of detectives
Betty Boop collapses on Broadway near 49th Street as handlers work to raise the deflated helium balloon during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
RON FREHM/AP File Photo
Irving Berlin, at the piano, and friends celebrate his 25th year since he wrote "Alexander's Rag Time Band" at a banquet in his honor in Hollywood, Calif. Jan. 20, 1936. Standing behind Berlin, at right, is Joseph Schenck, film producer. In front row singing together are two of the Marx Brothers, Chico and Harpo.
AP File Photo
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 intellectual property whose 95-year U.S. copyright maximum has been reached, putting them in the public domain on Jan. 1. That means creators can use and repurpose them without permission or payment.
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