Today on Texas Standard: What’s Entering the Public Domain in 2026?

Today on Texas Standard: What’s entering the public domain in 2026?

Steamboat Willie, Popeye, Winnie the Pooh: They’re three popular characters from entertainment who have entered the public domain in recent years. With the calendar recently turned to 2026, what other copyrights have just expired?

Masterpieces by Mondrian, Klee, and More Enter the Public Domain in 2026

Copyright expired for the art, literature, and music of 1930, including Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee masterpieces, on Public Domain Day 2026.

Music From George Gershwin, Betty Boop, and More Enter the Public Domain

Four songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Betty Boop, Nancy Drew, and many more are among the intellectual properties that have officially entered the public domain, as part of Public Domain Day 2026. Observed every January 1, Public Domain Day marks the day when copyrights expire and works enter into the public domain. This year, works from 1930 are now available, as are sound recordings from 1925. According to Duke Law, musical compositions that …