Stylized illustration of a 1930s Betty Boop cartoon character in a red flapper dress holding a martini glass in an Art Deco–style cocktail lounge.
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Betty Boop, Public Domain Day, and the Limits of Copyright

Public Domain Day brings new opportunities and fresh confusion as early versions of iconic characters become free to use. Betty Boop’s 1930 debut is now in the public domain, but later designs and trademarks remain protected, creating legal gray areas for creators and businesses.