scott fitzgerald's or ernest hemmingway's or even walt disney's.entered the public domain. it unleashed two of the most lucrative rodents in history. to be clear, though, don't go using this mickey or that minnie because they are still under copyright. it's only the big eared couple as they first appeared that's fair game. still, as soon as those first copyrights expired, we got this. mckee's slasher film. >> we need to go! >> reporter: the same thing happened when a.a. milne's winnie the pooh entered the public domain. it's that kind of reimagination that many estates fear. >> what do i mean, holmes? >> don't you see? >> reporter: sherlock holmes is one of the most recognized literary characters from the 19th century. but sir arthur conan doyle's estate began to see its copyrights expire in the 1980s. >> mr. holmes, apologies. >> reporter: nevertheless, the conan doyle estate kept seeking licensing fees, arguing since some of the later sherlock holmes stories were still under copyright they should own the rights to all the characters still. >> at