Crypto enthusiasts have recently created a meme coin called MICKEY, which takes inspiration from the beloved cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. This coin emerged after the first-ever cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse entered the public domain, offering an opportunity for creative exploration.
The Representation of a Cultural Icon
The creators of the “Mickey Token” describe it as more than just a digital asset. They see it as a representation of a timeless cultural icon and a reflection of digital culture itself. According to the website, “The launch of the Mickey token not only marks his release into the public domain but also the beginning of a new adventure into the unknown.”
The MICKEY token is specifically inspired by the original Mickey Mouse character from the 1928 cartoon “Steamboat Willie.” It operates on the Ethereum blockchain and is still in its early stages, with a modest market cap of $6,500. Meme coins like MICKEY are known for their high volatility, with prices fluctuating rapidly.
Exploring the Public Domain Status
Under U.S. copyright laws, character rights are protected for 95 years. While the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain, Disney emphasizes that they will continue to safeguard their rights over the more modern iterations of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works.
“Despite the 1928 version now being in the public domain, Disney has emphasized that they will continue to safeguard their rights over the more modern iterations of Mickey Mouse and other works still covered by copyright.”
The public domain status of Steamboat Willie opens up opportunities for artists and creators to utilize the early version of Mickey Mouse in their own works without seeking permission. However, subsequent iterations and adaptations of the character remain subject to copyright protection.
On a broader scale, the Solana network has experienced a significant influx of new tokens recently. Within the last two weeks alone, an astonishing 72,202 new tokens have been minted on Solana using the SPL token standard. This number is more than 71 times the amount of tokens created during a comparable period in October.
“While the Solana ecosystem has witnessed a remarkable revival in the past two months, driving up the value of SOL, Solana NFTs, Solana meme coins, and even demand for the Solana smartphone, the sudden surge in token creation cannot be solely attributed to organic growth in network activity.”
This surge in token creation on Solana cannot be solely attributed to organic growth in network activity. Last week, the Avalanche Foundation announced its plans to use its $100 million NFT incubator fund to purchase memecoins. This move is part of the foundation’s “Culture Catalyst” initiative, which aims to support promising NFT projects on the network.
