With the arrival of 2025, several iconic works from 1929, including Popeye and Tintin, become royalty-free in the United States, paving the way for renewed creativity.
Tl;dr
- The original versions of Popeye et Tintincreated in 1929, enter the public domain in the United States, allowing their free reuse.
- Iconic films, novels and paintings, such as The Sound and the Fury or Blackmailalso join the public domain this year.
- This opening stimulates modern adaptations and prepares the arrival of other icons in the coming years.
Iconic characters now free
Popeyethe famous sailor who appeared for the first time in the comic strip Thimble Theatre by EC Segar, joins the public domain. However, this initial version has not yet adopted the famous habit of consuming spinach to gain strength. It was not until 1932 that this characteristic would enrich the character. Alongside Popeye, Tintinthe young Belgian reporter, also enters the public domain, accompanied by his faithful companion Snowy. However, this freedom currently only concerns the United States. In Europe, where copyright applies 70 years after the author's death, the adventures of Tintin will remain protected until 2054.
A turning point for the works of 1929
The year 1929 marked a pivotal moment for culture and media. The first sound films, such as Blackmail d’Alfred Hitchcock ou On With the Showthe first feature-length talking film in color, was released that year. Other literary masterpieces, such as The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner or A room of one's own by Virginia Woolf, also enter the public domain. This opening offers a unique opportunity to revisit these classics in new artistic forms, whether modern reinterpretations or new adaptations.
-The impact of the public domain on creativity
Entry of works into the public domain frees their use for the public and creators. The original character traits of Popeye et Tintin can now be used, modified or even reinvented without legal constraints. In the United States, this access facilitates the creation of new films, video games and other media based on these characters. However, caution is needed, as Jennifer Jenkins, director of Duke's Center for the Study of the Public Realm, pointed out. For example, the consumption of spinach, later added to the story of Popeyeremains under copyright for the moment.
A trend that continues
The coming years promise the arrival of other cultural icons in the public domain. In 2026, it will be the turn of characters like Betty Boop et Pluto to join this category. In the meantime, the year 2025 still has other treasures in store for us, including works by Mickey Mouselike the short film The Karnival Kid. These developments fuel a cultural renewal, allowing characters and stories to continue to evolve and reach new generations. This dynamic illustrates the importance of the public domain in the preservation and reinvention of our shared cultural heritage.
