# Lots of Interesting IP is Entering the Public Domain. Which Ones Would Make Good Pinball Machines? **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2026-01-06 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/lots-of-interesting-ip-is-entering-the-public-domain-which-ones-would-make-good-pinball-machines --- ## Analysis Knapp Arcade discusses the expanding opportunities for pinball manufacturers to leverage intellectual property entering the public domain, particularly following Stern's King Kong release. The article identifies multiple IPs now or soon entering public domain (Betty Boop, Nancy Drew, Popeye, original Mickey Mouse, etc.) and speculates on their potential as pinball themes, while noting that major superhero properties like Batman and Wonder Woman will enter public domain in the mid-2030s. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Stern Pinball used a 'Public Domain loophole' to create King Kong: Myth of Terror Island in April 2025 — _Author references an article about 'Stern Pinball's use of the Public Domain loophole' but does not provide direct evidence of this being Stern's stated strategy_ - [HIGH] Works created before 1978 lose copyright protection after 95 years — _Stated as factual explanation of public domain law_ - [HIGH] Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, and other 1930s properties are entering public domain in 2026 — _Listed in article title and body; supported by comment mentioning Dracula and Frankenstein entering public domain_ - [MEDIUM] Batman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman will enter public domain in the mid-2030s — _Author's projection based on copyright expiration timeline; not independently verified_ - [MEDIUM] American Pinball seriously considered making a Sherlock Holmes pinball machine but decided against it — _Knapparcade admin statement; sourcing not specified_ ### Notable Quotes > "This morning, I came across an interesting article about Stern Pinball's use of the Public Domain loophole to create its April 2025 pinball machine King Kong: Myth of Terror Island." > — **Knapp Arcade**, January 6, 2026 > _Establishes the premise of the article and references an external claim about Stern's public domain strategy_ > "Stern really needs to have this pin dispense cards or enable people to earn real Pokemon stuff. People would love it." > — **Knapp Arcade**, Comments section > _Speculative design suggestion for potential Pokemon pinball with integrated rewards mechanics_ > "Back in the day American Pinball seriously considered making a Sherlock Holmes pin but eventually decided not to." > — **Knapp Arcade**, Comments section > _Reveals historical near-miss licensing opportunity in the pinball industry_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | King Kong: Myth of Terror Island | game | Stern Pinball machine from April 2025; cited as example of public domain IP usage | | Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; alleged to be using public domain strategy for game licensing | | American Pinball | company | Boutique manufacturer that considered Sherlock Holmes pinball in the past | | Betty Boop | product | Character IP entering public domain in 2026; proposed as potential pinball theme | | Mickey Mouse | product | Original version entering public domain in 2026; proposed as potential pinball theme | | Popeye | product | Original version entering public domain; proposed as potential pinball theme | | Pokémon | product | Referenced in comments and related articles as potential pinball machine IP; 30th anniversary in March | | Batman | product | Superhero IP projected to enter public domain in mid-2030s | | Wonder Woman | product | Superhero IP projected to enter public domain in mid-2030s | | Captain America | product | Superhero IP projected to enter public domain in mid-2030s | | Sherlock Holmes | product | Public domain character; community member suggests as superior pinball theme option | | Knapp Arcade | organization | News source and community discussion platform; author of the article | ### Topics - **Primary:** Intellectual property and public domain licensing strategy, Upcoming pinball machine themes and IP opportunities, Copyright law and expiration timelines affecting manufacturers - **Secondary:** Pokémon pinball machine speculation, Design innovation and mechanical features for themed machines ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.72) — Author and commenters express enthusiasm about public domain IP opportunities and creative possibilities for pinball themes. Tone is exploratory and optimistic about future design directions. ### Signals - **[licensing_signal]** Stern Pinball identified as leveraging public domain IP strategy to reduce licensing costs, exemplified by King Kong: Myth of Terror Island release (confidence: medium) — Article cites 'Stern Pinball's use of the Public Domain loophole' but does not provide direct Stern confirmation - **[market_signal]** Public domain licensing represents alternative cost-reduction strategy for manufacturers to reduce studio licensing expenses while maintaining recognizable IP (confidence: medium) — Article framework implies licensing cost reduction as primary motivation for King Kong public domain approach - **[announcement]** Related articles indicate Pokémon pinball officially revealed by Stern and Back to the Future NOT in partnership with Dutch Pinball (confidence: high) — Two related article headlines: 'Stern Officially Reveals New Pokémon Pinball Machine' and 'Dutch Pinball is NOT Working with Stern to Release Back to the Future' - **[rumor_hype]** Community speculation about Stern Pokémon pinball machine timed with 30th anniversary and McDonald's Happy Meal promotion (confidence: low) — Comment by brianPin speculating 'looks like a ripe time for Stern Pokemon, IMO'; related article indicates official reveal imminent - **[licensing_signal]** Significant wave of classic IP entering public domain in 2026-2030s creating new design opportunities with reduced licensing friction (confidence: high) — Comprehensive list of IPs entering public domain provided; comment confirms additional titles like Dracula and Frankenstein forthcoming --- ## Transcript News Lots of Interesting IP is Entering the Public Domain. Which Ones Would Make Good Pinball Machines? k knapparcade January 6, 2026 This morning, I came across an interesting article about Stern Pinball's use of the Public Domain loophole to create its April 2025 pinball machine King Kong: Myth of Terror Island. For those of you who aren't familiar with what Public Domain, it essentially means intellectual property that has had its copyright protection expire. Things that were created before 1978 lose their copyright protection after 95 years. That means that works from the 1930s are now entering Public Domain. Here's a list of other known IPs that have entered or are about to enter the Public Domain. \- Betty Boop \- Nancy Drew \- All Quiet on the Western Front \- The Maltese Falcon \- The original version of Mickey Mouse \- The original version of Popeye \- The original version of Winnie-the-Pooh See any that might make a good pin? How about a new Popeye pinball machine? LOL. We're definitely starting to get into themes in the public domain that could work. Some really big items enter public domain in the mid 2030's, including Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman. Pins based on early versions of those characters could be really cool. Below is a link to the article that I was talking about: Brian "Q" Quinn and Stern Pinball’s Public Domain Strategy: Celebrity Voices Without Studio Licensing Costs. Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse works enter the public domain in 2026 Posted about 1 month ago k About knapparcade Site administrator Comments (3) Please sign in to join the conversation. austink15ADMIN about 1 month ago I love the original version of mickey 0 B brianPin about 1 month ago Yes, and there are some more Big Domains coming free, Next year, Dracula, Frankenstein etc. Lots coming in the next few Years. Ps Pokemon 30th aniv is March and McDonalds has a pokemon Happy meal coming in Feb....... so looks like a ripe time for Stern Polemon, IMO 1 knapparcadeADMIN about 1 month ago People are going to go bananas for Pokemon Happy Meals. Stern really needs to have this pin dispense cards or enable people to earn real Pokemon stuff. People would love it. 0 H hgnzxbannzbbdohgfk about 1 month ago Meh to all these. But if they want to do public domain stuff, I think Sherlock Holmes is the clear best choice. Recognizable name, mystery theme is something different, and lots of creative freedom. A lot of Jules Verne works might also work? Or stuff like War of the Worlds or Treasure Island 1 knapparcadeADMIN about 1 month ago Jules Verne’s stuff is cool. I could see that. Back in the day American Pinball seriously considered making a Sherlock Holmes pin but eventually decided not to. 0 Related Articles Stern Officially Reveals New Pokémon Pinball Machine 3 days ago Dutch Pinball is NOT Working with Stern to Release Back to the Future 3 days ago Pokémon Reveal Tomorrow?; Beetlejuice Pinball on Location 5 days ago Subscribe to Updates Get the latest pinball news, blog posts, and event announcements delivered to your inbox Subscribe StripeM-Inner _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: c0c91c03-6b22-4f20-be8d-da74b275542f*