Starting January 1, 2025, beloved comic characters Popeye and Tintin will enter the public domain in the United States, marking a significant milestone for creators and fans. Popeye, introduced in 1929, was crafted by EC Segar and became an iconic figure known for his distinctive speech and bulging forearms, although his association with spinach came later. Tintin, created by Belgian artist Hergé, also debuted in 1929 and grew into one of Europe's most popular comic figures. However, only their earliest versions will be free for creative use as newer elements remain protected.
The 2025 public domain release includes a rich array of literary classics, revealing the breadth of American literature's golden era. Noteworthy additions are William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury and Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms. These significant works, praised for their enduring impact, will be accessible for adaptation without legal constraints. Virginia Woolf's feminist essay "A Room of One's Own" also joins the mix, promising fresh avenues for exploration and reinterpretation.
In the realm of cinema and music, the expansion includes vital entries from early iconic figures and compositions that conclude the Roaring Twenties. Alfred Hitchcock's first sound film Blackmail and the Marx Brothers' debut in The Cocoanuts will be public, alongside legendary tunes like "What Is This Thing Called Love?" by Cole Porter and George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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