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Stop Building Brand Recognition From Zero. Dick Tracy, The Shadow, and the Original Universal Monsters Just Became Yours to Use.

The complete, plain-English map to every comic, comic strip, and cartoon character newly entered into the public domain, plus exactly what you can legally build with them and where the trademark landmines are hiding.
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The PROBLEM (& the Instant Fix)

Every January 1st, a fresh wave of iconic characters loses its copyright protection... and every January, creators either miss the opportunity entirely or step straight into a trademark mess trying to cash in on it.

Here's what that usually looks like. You hear "Dick Tracy is public domain now" and get excited. Then you start digging. Copyright renewal databases. Duke Law's annotated lists. Wikipedia rabbit holes trying to figure out which version of the character is actually free and which parts are still locked up for another decade. Somewhere in there, you realize a character isn't one single thing... it's a stack of dated layers, and using the wrong layer can get you a cease-and-desist instead of a payday.

I built this guide so you never have to do that research yourself again. I already did the digging, sorted the rules, and organized everything into a system you can use this year and every year after.


What It Is / How It Works

This is a research-backed, plain-language reference guide built specifically for creators who want to use newly public domain characters in real products... without a law degree and without accidentally stepping on a live trademark.

I walk you through the seven rules that govern character copyright (the ones that trip up almost everyone), then hand you a full profile of the newest class of public domain characters, an organized vault of everything that's already free from previous years, and a preview of what's coming next so you can start planning now instead of scrambling later.


This is for YOU if you're a...

  • POD and Etsy seller looking for recognizable characters to build a product line around
  • Digital publisher and journal/planner creators who want built-in nostalgia appeal
  • AI artist who want source material with an audience already attached
  • Sticker, greeting card, and print-on-demand creator
  • Building a comic, coloring book, or collectible product and needs to know exactly what's safe to use
  • Creator who got burned (or scared off) by copyright confusion in the past

But Here's the Part That Most People Will Miss...

Most people will treat this as a one-year cheat sheet. That's not what I built.

The seven rules and the trademark framework inside this guide work every single year, not just this one. Once you understand how character copyright layers actually work, you can evaluate any character, from any year, on your own. That's why I included the three-year pipeline preview. You're not just getting this year's opportunity. You're getting the system that lets you spot every opportunity after it, before your competition even knows to look.



Inside You'll Get...

  • The 7 Rules that govern character copyright, explained in plain English, so you can evaluate any character on your own from here on out
  • Six full Headliner Profiles on this year's biggest new arrivals, including exactly what's free to use and what's still protected
  • The complete list of every other debut entering the public domain this year, including several under-the-radar characters with almost no competition
  • The Cumulative Vault, organizing everything that's already public domain from prior years so you can combine and layer freely
  • A three-year pipeline preview so you can start planning your next products before everyone else even knows they're coming
  • The Trademark and Layer Cheat Sheet, one line per character, so you always know what's free and who still holds the brand
  • Eight groups of product strategy ideas to help you turn any of this into an actual sellable product
  • A resource directory of the exact archives, renewal databases, and search tools I use myself
  • Instant digital download, so you can start today

Imagine...

Imagine opening your product line with a character everyone already recognizes... one with decades of built-in nostalgia, movies, merchandise, and cultural memory doing your marketing for you before you ever hit publish. No years spent building an audience from nothing. No guessing whether your product idea will resonate. The recognition is already there. You're just the first to legally get there with it.

Click Here to Get Instant Access

• 7 Rules • 6 Headliner Profiles • 8-Group Product Strategy Playbook • Trademark Cheat Sheet • Instant Digital Download
Click HERE for Immediate Access!

Don't take our word for it!

Here's what MEMBERS have to say about our MasterClass Modules courses!

“After a decade of studying Tony's great courses and videos, I am never disappointed by the level of expertise, attention-to-detail, and caring, that he produces."”

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FAQ

  • Do I need to understand copyright law to use this?

    No. I wrote this specifically so you don't have to become a legal expert. Everything is broken down in plain language with clear examples of what's safe and what isn't.

  • I've never made a product from a public domain character before. Is this still for me?

    Yes. This guide assumes no prior experience and walks you through the framework from the ground up.

  • Will this help me avoid trademark trouble, not just copyright issues?

    Yes. Copyright and trademark are two different things, and most creators only think about one of them. This guide covers both, including a cheat sheet showing who still holds live trademarks on each character.

  • What format is this delivered in?

    It's a digital guide, delivered instantly after purchase so you can start planning your next product today.

  • Is this only useful for one year?

    No. The framework and rules apply to every future public domain class, and the guide includes a preview of what's coming in the next few years so you can plan ahead.

  • What if I already have a product idea? Can this help me make sure it's safe?

    Yes. The rules and cheat sheet are built so you can evaluate any character or idea against them yourself.

About

Meet Your Expert Instructor

Hi there! Tony Laidig here... I’m known as The Public Domain Expert, but what I really do is help creators like you unlock limitless potential through AI and public domain content... without the overwhelm.

I’ve been experimenting with AI writing and art tools since before they were cool (back in 2018), and over the last 18+ years, I’ve designed more than 600 book covers, including several that landed on the New York Times Best-Seller list.

My goal? To make creativity more accessible, more profitable, and way more fun!

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out how to create books, products, or art that actually stand out, I’ve probably built a course or strategy to help. I’ve taught over 2,000 course modules covering everything from publishing and book design to AI-generated art, children’s books, video content, and beyond.

And while I love teaching and creating, I live what I teach... traveling the country in an RV with my wife Kristen and our two cats, making art, writing, and capturing inspiration with my camera wherever we roam.

If you're ready to explore powerful tools, timeless content, and scalable creative strategies, you're in the right place!