Original Mickey Mouse is free to use
Listen to the story (American accent)
The first Mickey Mouse cartoon was a short film called Steamboat Willie in 1928. On January 1 this year, it became free to use because its copyright ended. This means anyone in the US can use the Mickey Mouse from that film.
After this change, many people had fun using the old Mickey Mouse. They made new music with his famous whistle, digital artwork and videos of the old Mickey swearing. Someone has also announced a horror movie called Mickey’s Mouse Trap.
Two video games with Mickey Mouse will also be released. One is a horror game, and the other is a shooting game.
Mickey Mouse is one of the most famous characters in the world. For many years, Disney worked hard to protect Mickey Mouse and his stories so other people didn’t use them.
Steamboat Willie’s copyright was originally due to end in 1984. However, Disney asked the government to change the laws. In 1998, Disney and other entertainment companies including Universal asked the government to extend copyright protection again.
The law from 1998 says that copyright protection is for 95 years or "the life of the author plus 70 years". Some people called this change the "Mickey Mouse Protection" law.
Even though the old version of Mickey Mouse is free to use in some countries, the newer versions of Mickey are still protected by copyright.
Vocabulary26 words
- Cartoon
- A funny drawing that tells a story; a movie made using characters and images that are invented and drawn
- Film
- movie;
- Copyright
- ©; protection from someone copying your work
- Whistle
- A sound made by blowing air through the lips (mouth); A loud noise with a high pitch
- Digital
- using numbers and codes in a system or computer to make things happen; Using computers or technology to store or process information
- Artwork
- A piece of creative work, like a painting or drawing.
- Swear
- to say bad or rude words; curse; foul language
- Announce
- share information openly; to tell the public; to make a statement; to report
- Horror
- A scary story or movie; something extremely unpleasant and shocking
- Mouse trap
- A tool to catch mice; a machine to catch and stop mice
- Release
- make available to everyone; launch; put on the market
- Shooting
- situation where a person shoots a gun at other people
- Character
- A made-up person or creature in a story
- Protect
- keep safe or secure; guard; defend
- Originally
- at first; in the beginning;
- Due
- When something is supposed to or expected to happen;
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Law
- a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Entertainment company
- A business that makes movies, shows, or music
- Include
- to contain; incorporate; to be part of; to have something smaller as a part of it; come with
- Extend
- To make something longer or go further;
- Protection
- Keeping something safe from harm; something that keeps you safe from harm/danger
- Author
- a person who writes a book, article, or other types of writings
- The life of the author plus 70 years
- the time the author is alive/living plus 70 years after the author dies
- Even though
- although; despite the fact that; a phrase used to show a contrast or contradiction between two things;
- Version
- a copy of something that has been changed so it’s a little different; something a little different from others of the same type
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The first Mickey Mouse _____ was a short film called Steamboat Willie in 1928. On January _____, it became free to use because its copyright _____. This means anyone in the US can use the Mickey Mouse _____ that film.
After this _____, many people had fun using the old Mickey Mouse. They made new _____ with his famous whistle, digital artwork and videos of the _____ Mickey swearing. Someone has also announced a horror movie _____ Mickey’s Mouse Trap.
Two video games with Mickey Mouse _____ also be released. One is a horror game, and the other is a _____ game.
Mickey Mouse is one of the most famous _____ in the world. For many years, Disney worked hard to protect Mickey Mouse and his _____ so other people didn’t use them.
Steamboat Willie’s _____ was originally due to end in 1984. However, Disney asked the government to change the _____. In 1998, Disney and other entertainment companies _____ Universal asked the government to extend copyright protection _____.
The law from 1998 says that copyright protection is for _____ years or “the life of the author plus 70 years”. Some people _____ this change the "Mickey Mouse Protection” law.
Even though the old _____ of Mickey Mouse is free to use in some countries, the newer _____ of Mickey are still protected by copyright.
Peter Pan and Tigger _____ Winnie-the-Pooh are other characters from 1928 that are also now _____ to use in the US.
Discussion questions
- How do you feel about Mickey Mouse becoming free to use in some places? Why?
- What are your thoughts on people making new stories and art with the old Mickey Mouse? What about violent or scary content?
- Why do you think Disney worked hard to protect Mickey Mouse and his stories?
- Do you think Mickey Mouse will become less popular now?
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