The original Winnie-the-Pooh book entered the United States public domain in 2022.
The book was first published in 1926, and its U.S. copyright term ended after 95 years. From 1 January 2022, the original book and its original text became available for use under U.S. public-domain rules.
This change did not instantly place every Pooh-related work or design in the public domain. Later Disney adaptations, trademarks, and distinctive Disney-specific elements remained subject to their own legal protections. The original book’s public-domain status also differs by country, because copyright terms vary internationally.
The date is particularly relevant to the centenary period: the 2026 anniversary celebrates a century since the book’s publication, while the U.S. public-domain milestone occurred four years earlier. The UK followed a different timetable for Milne’s text, with copyright due to expire at the start of 2027.