Betty Boop, Excel Olympics, Penny-isms: Our 2026 Valentines - Planet Money Recap

Podcast: Planet Money

Published: 2026-02-13

Duration: 32 min

Summary

In this episode, the Planet Money team shares their unique Valentine's Day tributes to beloved cultural icons and concepts that have recently entered the public domain. They celebrate the significance of these works and the joy of discovering new freedoms in intellectual property.

What Happened

The episode kicks off with Kenny Malone surprising Jennifer Jenkins, their unofficial trademark and copyright attorney, with a physical Valentine featuring Betty Boop, a character she adores. Kenny explains that this year’s Valentine is dedicated to the annual Public Domain Day list, highlighting notable works like Betty Boop, which has recently entered the public domain. This change allows anyone to use the original 1930 version of Betty Boop without copyright restrictions, marking a significant moment in intellectual property law.