The copyright for the cartoon characters Popeye and Tintin, which debuted in 1929, will soon expire.
According to the American internet media Axios on the 26th (local time), the copyright for Popeye and Tintin, who debuted together, will expire on Jan. 1 next year.
As a result, anyone will be able to freely use the versions of the characters Popeye and Tintin released in 1929.
Reportedly, there are three film production companies planning to produce horror movies featuring Popeye, in line with the copyright expiration.
Popeye gained popularity appearing in the 1929 comic "Thimble Theatre" by American cartoonist E.C. Segar, and it was also made into a theatrical animation four years later in 1933.
Tintin is the protagonist of "The Adventures of Tintin," created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The comic series became a global bestseller, published in over 100 languages.
Under current U.S. copyright law, in cases where copyright is attributed to corporations like Popeye, the protection period is set at either 95 years post-publication or 120 years post-creation, whichever is shorter.
Additionally, when copyright is attributed to individuals, such as in music or novels, the copyright is protected for 70 years after the creator's death. However, for songs or novels published before 1978, the maximum protection period is 95 years.
As a result, the copyright for Ernest Hemingway's novel "A Farewell to Arms" and Virginia Woolf's essay "A Room of One's Own," both published in 1929, will expire, allowing anyone to publish them.
Among music works, the copyright for George Gershwin's symphonic poem "An American in Paris" and Arthur Freed's pop classic "Singin' in the Rain" are also set to be released.
Additionally, the copyright protection period for Alfred Hitchcock's first sound film "Blackmail" will also expire.