The copyright on Mickey Mouse expires today, meaning The Walt Disney Company no longer has the exclusive rights to the character. Does this mean you can put Mickey in your own cartoon? Not exactly.

Mickey Mouse has landed a new role: horror-movie villain. At least two films starring an early version of the Walt Disney Company’s famous mascot were announced this week as the copyright for ...

THAT’S RIGHT, MICKEY MOUSE. BUT ONLY, I REPEAT, ONLY THE EARLY VERSION OF HIM DATING BACK TO THE 20S. THE LITTLE STICK LEGGED MICKEY THAT APPEARED IN STEAMBOAT WILLIE. THIS IS LIKE BIG A BIG DEAL.