Betty Boop and ‘Blondie’ Enter the Public Domain in 2026, Accompanied by a Trio of Detectives

Several iconic characters from early American animation, comics, and pulp fiction enter the public domain in 2026, led by Betty Boop and Blondie, alongside a trio of classic detective characters whose copyrights expire under U.S. law. Betty Boop, who first appeared in early 1930s animated shorts, remains one of the most recognizable figures from the golden age of animation, symbolizing the Jazz Age with her flapper style, musical roots, and playful independence, though only her earliest black-and-white versions are included in the public domain while later design elements remain protected. Blondie, created by cartoonist Chic Young, also becomes free to use in her original form, reflecting the early domestic-comedy tone of the strip before decades of later character development that continues to be copyrighted. Joining them are several early detective characters from serialized fiction, highlighting the enduring popularity of crime-solving narratives that shaped pulp magazines and popular storytelling in the early 20th century. The transition of these works into the public domain allows creators to adapt, remix, and reinterpret them without licensing fees, encouraging new films, books, artwork, merchandise, and educational uses, while also requiring careful attention to legal boundaries between public-domain material and still-protected trademarks or later creative additions.