The beginning of January marks the new year and Public Domain Day. On this date, works whose copyrights have expired become available for unrestricted use by the laws of each country.
In 2025, many works originally published in 1929 will enter the public domain. This transition allows them to be reused in new projects without authorization or licensing fees. Below are some of the key works that are now available.
Comics: Popeye and Tintin
Popeye the Sailor
Popeye first appeared on January 17, 1929, in the Thimble Theatre comic strip created by Elzie Crisler Segar. The character is widely recognized for gaining strength from spinach and his association with Olive Oyl, who has been in the public domain since 2015.
With Popeye entering the public domain, the character can now be used in new content and products without copyright restrictions.
The Adventures of Tintin
Belgian artist Georges Prosper Remi, known as Hergé, created Tintin and debuted in the Le Petit Vingtième newspaper. The series follows Tintin, a reporter, and his dog Snowy, with storylines often reflecting historical and political themes.
Tintin’s entry into the public domain enables new interpretations and productions based on the character and his adventures.
Literature, Music, and Film
Literary Works
Among the notable literary works from 1929 entering the public domain are:
- A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway;
- A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf;
- The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.
In Brazil, Oswald de Andrade’s works also enter the public domain, expanding access to key contributions of the Brazilian modernist movement.
Film
In the field of cinema, the following films will enter the public domain:
- The Cocoanuts by the Marx Brothers;
- Blackmail by Alfred Hitchcock;
- The Wild Party starring Clara Bow.
Music
Notable musical compositions include:
- Singin’ in the Rain;
- Boléro by Maurice Ravel;
- California, Here I Come.
These works can now be used in musical productions and other creative projects without licensing fees.
Considerations
The entry of works into the public domain in 2025 presents new opportunities for businesses, artists, and creators. The freedom to reuse these materials allows innovative and diverse content to be developed.
