Reviewed 2026-08-10 · United States jurisdiction only · compiled from the sources listed in the margin
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Felix the Cat is one of the earliest stars of American animation. He first appeared in 1919 in Feline Follies, produced by Pat Sullivan’s studio, with animator Otto Messmer playing a major role in developing his distinctive personality and look. Felix became an international sensation during the 1920s, famous for his black body, expressive eyes, mischievous personality, and surreal adventures. His Magic Bag of Tricks became one of his signature features. After Sullivan’s death in 1933, the property eventually passed to the Oriolo family, who revived Felix for television in the 1950s. In 2014, DreamWorks Animation acquired Felix and related rights, and the character subsequently became part of the NBCUniversal portfolio. Today, Felix remains an iconic figure of early animation, with his earliest works in the U.S. public domain, while later versions and trademarks remain separately protected.
This determination covers only the silent-era Felix shorts made by Pat Sullivan/Otto Messmer between 1919 and 1930, which secondary sources describe as having exceeded the 95-year US copyright term. It does not extend to the 1958–1960 Joe Oriolo-designed television version (with its redesigned look, 'Magic Bag,' and new characters), to comic strip/book incarnations, or to the Felix name and image as a trademark, all of which the transcript treats as separately governed and unresolved.
A source states the 'Felix the Cat' name and image are claimed as a trademark by the rights holder resulting from a 2014 sale, and that merchandise or new media use of the name/image could trigger an infringement claim carrying mandatory treble damages under 15 U.S.C. 1117.
None. Feline Follies (1919) was published under the 1909 Copyright Act. Its copyright was renewed in 1946, but the resulting term eventually expired. The work is now in the U.S. public domain.
Reviewed and curated by AE001 This determination is sourced and dated but is not a substitute for legal counsel — verify against primary sources before relying on it commercially.
The complete record: full publication history, the succession of rights holders, the term arithmetic, the expanded legal analysis, and the full source list available by unlocking the full dossier.
Each item carries the citation it was compiled from. Nothing is served here whose own rights status has not been checked separately from the character’s.
Pat Sullivan. Wikicommons, 1930. It fell into the public domain because it was not renewed after its 25-year copyright term.. Archive file page.
Why this file is free to useIt fell into the public domain because it was not renewed after its 25-year copyright term.
The complete record: full publication history, the succession of rights holders, the term arithmetic, the expanded legal analysis, and the full source list available by unlocking the full dossier.
Read before relying on itInformational, not legal advice. The dossier states its jurisdiction (United States), its review date, and its confidence value on the first page.
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