Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain after Disney lost its copyright to the character from January 1st.
This has seen many people putting their own spin on the character, with one filmmaker even portraying Mickey as a serial killer.
Several other high profile characters, works and songs are also due to see their copyright expire this year.
Joe.ie Entertainment Editor Rory Cashin told The Pat Kenny Show this all stems from US copyright law.
After the Copyright Act of 1976 came into effect in 1978, however, being able to use another person's creative works became more difficult.
"Up until 1978, anything that was created before that has a 95 year copyright law," he said.
"We're talking [about] anything that was created in 1928, in 2024 it becomes copyright free.
"So, anyone can pretty much do anything they want with that idea.
"Everything after '78 is as far as the creator lives, you then add another 90 years on to that.
"If someone has created anything after 1978, you add 90 years on to their date of death and that's when that becomes copyright free."
Rory said this change only applies to the early Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse.
"He doesn't have his voice yet, he doesn't have his red pants yet, he doesn't have the specific gloves that we'd know Micky Mouse to have.
"It's that specific version".
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Image: Cinematic / Alamy Stock PhotoRory said a number of other copyrights are also running out in 2024.
"Winnie the Pooh was copyright free last year, so this year the character of Tigger is also now copyright free," he said.
"Charlie Chaplin's The Circus, Buster Keaton's The Camera Man, Harold Lloyd's final silent feature.
"In terms of song, 'Let's Do It' by Cole Porter will now be copyright free.
"'When You're Smiling' - which I think would be most famous for the Frank Sinatra version - 'Mack the Knife', 'Makin' Whoopee', which was very controversial back in 1928."
Rory said a number of books are also coming out of copyright including Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence and Orlando by Virginia Woolf.
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