The news is out that beloved sailor Popeye became part of the public domain in the EU on January 1, 2009.  Before folks start scrambling to start reproducing Popeye t-shirts, posters, films and cartoon strips, we need to take a look at exactly what has become public domain.

January 1 of each year more creative works become part of the public domain because copyright protection for the work expired. 

In the EU copyright protection extends for the life of the author plus 70 years.  The Popeye character first appeared in comic strips in 1929 and in film in 1933.  Elzie Segar, the Illinois artist who created Popeye, died in 1938.  With Mr. Segar’s death in 1938, the term of copyright for his Popeye, Olive Oil and other characters expired December 31, 2008 in the EU.

Because of extension of the copyright term in the United States, Mr. Segar’s work is still protected.  In the United States the copyright term is generally life of the author plus 70 years for works created, registered or published on or after January 1, 1978.   If the work was created and published or registered prior to January 1, 1978 (such as Segar’s Popeye) and any necessary renewals were filed, the copyright term is for a total of 95 years from the year in which copyright was secured for the work.  The US Copyright law will protect Popeye until 2024. More...