The character that would eventually become Betty Boop in her first appearance, Dizzy Dishes (1930)

With the turn of each new year, we see lists of iconic characters, movies, novels, and other intellectual property poised to enter the public domain. This year Betty Boop appeared on a number of such lists, claiming she would enter the public domain on January 1, 2026, which is actually not true.  But what does all this really mean? 

The statement below from Fleischer Studios Chairman and CEO Mark Fleischer offers the true picture of Betty Boop's status and how she will continue to enjoy copyright and trademark protection for years to come. We hope this answers any questions about Betty Boop's status.

Ever since the appearance of the BETTY BOOP character in the Fleischer Studios’ cartoon series Talkartoons, people all over the world have associated the BETTY BOOP name, imagery, and brand with the artistry, humor and magic of Fleischer Studios and its entertainment content, experiences, and authentic products.

In 1930, a precursor of the BETTY BOOP character appeared in the first cartoon of the Talkartoons series, Dizzy Dishes. Only over a period of years did that character evolve into the character we now recognize and call BETTY BOOP and become the distinctively different and independently protectable expression of the character in use by Fleischer Studios today.

While the copyright in the Dizzy Dishes cartoon may fall into the public domain in 2026, this does not affect Fleischer Studios’ copyright in the fully developed BETTY BOOP character Fleischer Studios created in subsequent cartoons and other uses and continues to use today.  Fleischer Studios’ copyright in that character will therefore remain in force for some years to come, as will Fleischer Studios’ copyrights in the many subsequently revised and modern versions of the BETTY BOOP character and related elements.

Equally important, the BETTY BOOP name and various related character designs are well-known and valuable Fleischer Studios trademarks, recognized and registered around the world for a multitude of goods/services and activities, including a full range of merchandise licensed by Fleischer Studios.  These brands continue to enjoy the full protection of trademark and related laws and are unaffected by the expiration of the Dizzy Dishes copyright or any other copyright.

In sum, the BETTY BOOP character and brand, with worldwide name and imagery recognition, will continue as a protected global ambassador for Fleischer Studios and its licensees’ entertainment content, merchandise, and other goods/services and activities.
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Mark Fleischer
Chairman and CEO, Fleischer Studios

While it may be the case that the copyright in a specific work can expire, that often doesn't tell the full story. Very often, different versions of a character that have been developed later can independently enjoy copyright protection.  Also, names and depictions of a character very frequently will remain separately protected by trademark and other laws, regardless of whether the copyright has expired.

For more information about public domain, trademark, and copyright check out Greg Ehrbar's article "PD or not PD: Betty Boop in the Public Domain?" on Animation Scoop.