When do public characters, like Sherlock Holmes or Mickey Mouse, go into the public domain?

Question

I know that Sherlock is in public domain now, but Mickey Mouse is not.

Answer 1

Current copyrights last the lifetime of the author plus 75 years.

Answer 2

What Richard said, with some exceptions. People who own a copyright (like Walt Disney or the heirs of Margaret Mitchell) can "renew" it for another period of time (75 years?) by putting out another work with the character before the original copyright dies. I've heard that's why the estate of Mitchell commissioned that awful book, SCARLET. They knew that if they didn't, as soon as GONE WITH THE WIND went public domain, *everyone* would be writing sequels. By owning SCARLET, they sort of started the clock over.

Also, Peter Pan has never gone public domain, b/c the author left the rights to his use to a children's hospital.

Answer 3

Never, even if the law allows it. They are living entities like us, part of our greatest achievements. Elementary, my dear Watson.

Answer 4

cause mickey mouse is just a drawing