Popeye is Public Domain

Popeye the Sailor, the first episode (1933)


Public Domain popeye content

Popeye the sailorman is in theo public domain in Britain from January 1, 2009. Elzie Segar’s copyright on the character expired on that date.

His copyright on the character finished with the New Year’s beginning, as a European Union law restricts the rights of authors to 70 years after their death.

So, from that date anyone can sell Popeye books, toys and action figures to computer games, Popeye posters, T-shirts and even make new comic strips.

But this bonanza is not for US citizens! The character will remain protected in the U.S. until 2024, as the country’s law protects a work for 95 years after its initial copyright.