Few would dispute that the success of Disney (NYSE: DIS) is the result of the company’s large and ever-growing treasure trove of intellectual property. With the introduction of Steamboat Willie in 1928 — the first film starring Mickey Mouse — Disney has amassed a massive catalog of characters that is the envy of media companies everywhere.
However, as we close in on the end of 2021, the House of Mouse is at risk of losing control of some of the company’s most beloved characters, which are scheduled to enter the public domain in the coming year.