1928 Mickey Mouse Rises in OpenSea
In a striking turn of events, a vintage rendition of the Walt Disney Company's Mickey Mouse has soared to the top of the nonfungible token (NFT) charts on OpenSea. This rise in popularity coincides with the character's debut in the public domain.
On the first day of the year, Mickey Mouse, as seen in the 1928 animation "Steamboat Willie," transitioned into public domain. This milestone marks the end of Disney's copyright, which under U.S. law, spans 95 years. "Steamboat Willie" holds historical significance as Mickey Mouse's first foray into public viewership.
Subsequent to the copyright expiry, a trio of NFT collections inspired by the early-era mascot clinched the top three positions on OpenSea's daily trending list. Leading the pack is the "Steamboat Willie Public Domain 2024" collection, boasting a trading volume of approximately $1.2 million. Close behind are the "Steamboat Willie" and "Steamboat Willie's Riverboat" collections, securing the second and third spots respectively.
The "Steamboat Willie Public Domain 2024" collection didn't just capture public attention; it also ranked sixth on OpenSea's 24-hour top charts. This placed it among renowned collections like the Bored Ape Yacht Club and Pudgy Penguins, with the original "Steamboat Willie" collection also appearing at eighth position.
While this specific iteration of Mickey Mouse enters the public arena, Disney has been quick to differentiate it from the contemporary versions of the mascot. A spokesperson from Disney emphasized the company's commitment to protecting the modern Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works. Speaking to CNN, they highlighted efforts to prevent consumer confusion and unauthorized use of their iconic characters.