Popeye in the public domain (in Europe, that is)

According to the Times Online, copyright protection for Popeye the Sailor is going to expire at the end of 2008. Under EU rules, copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the death of the author. Popeye creator Elzie Segar died in 1938 at the age of 43, making Popeye the first iconic cartoon character to fall out of copyright.

This means that Segar's artwork can be reprinted in Europe without permissions. Here in the U.S., we have to wait until 2024 for Popeye's copyright to expire, which explains why I didn't use a picture for this post. It should also be noted that Popeye is registered as a trademark in a number of international classes, so think twice before trying to register Popeye brand spinach, or really anything else for that matter, anywhere in the world.

Popeye's release from copyright protection will be an interesting test for what will happen when other major cartoon characters enter the public domain. Barring another successful lobbying campaign, Disney will see Mickey Mouse come into the public domain in 2023.

Happy New Year!