But this may be one of the last birthdays Mickey celebrates as the intellectual property of Disney.

但這可能是米老鼠最後一次以迪士尼知識財產的身份慶祝生日了。

Copyrights for the popular character are set to expire on January 1st, 2024.

這個受歡迎角色的版權預計在 2024 年 1 月 1 日到期。

Mickey might have become public property sooner,

米奇本來可能更早成為公有財產，

except that each time the copyright on "Steamboat Willie" was set to lapse, Disney and others pushed Congress to lengthen US copyright terms.

只是每次《汽船威利號》版權要到期前，迪士尼以及相關人士就會敦促國會延長美國版權條款。

By 1998, works of corporate authorship were exclusive company property for 95 years from publication.

到了 1998 年，企業作家作品從出版開始 95 年間都屬於企業的獨家財產。

But this time around, there doesn't seem to be any serious effort to extend Disney's copyright for several reasons.

但這一次，似乎沒有特別要延長迪士尼版權的任何努力，而有幾個原因。

First, each version of Mickey Mouse has a separate copyright, so only the "Steamboat Willie" version will enter the public domain in 2024.

首先，每一個版本的米老鼠都有獨立的版權，所以 2024 年只會有《汽船威利號》版本的米老鼠變成公有財產。

Second, Disney has clearly diversified its stable of copyrighted characters.

再者，迪士尼顯然地讓它一系列受版權保護角色進行了多元管理。

Third, copyright activists have out-organized Hollywood.

第三，版權擁護者變得比好萊塢更有組織。

And fourth, it's unlikely the public would accept a copyright extension beyond 95 years.

第四，大眾不太可能接受超過 95 年後再發生版權延長。

So, enjoy your day, Mickey, because soon, you will belong to your adoring public.

所以說，好好享受這一天吧，米奇，因為你很快地就會屬於愛你的大眾了。

What do you think?

各位怎麼想？

Will Disney let its copyrights on Mickey expire?

迪士尼會讓米奇的版權過期嗎？

Let us know in our poll.

請投票讓我們知道。

Also, let us know what other topics you'd like our scholars to cover in 60 seconds, and be sure to like and subscribe for more research and videos from AEI.

另外，也跟我們說你希望我們的學者們在 60 秒內說明哪些主題，並請務必點讚、訂閱，以獲得更多 AE 的研究和影片。