The Little Prince and the Longevity of IP: How Trademark Law Extends a Legacy

I’ve been an admirer of The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) for as long as I can remember. I own an original publication of the book, and to this day, it remains one of my favorites—not just for its poetic charm and gentle illustrations, but for the wisdom it offers about love, loss, imagination, and responsibility.

Like many classics, its lessons are timeless.

But what’s also fascinating—at least from where I sit as an intellectual property attorney—is how the legacy of The Little Prince has been preserved and protected far beyond the expiration of its original copyright. It’s a perfect example of how copyright and trademark law can work together to keep a beloved work relevant, valuable, and protected across generations.

A Tale of Two Protections

The Little Prince was first published in 1943. Its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, died in 1944, which meant the copyright term expired in 2015 (under the 70-years-after-death rule in most jurisdictions).

By 2015, the book and its original illustrations had entered the public domain—technically allowing anyone to reproduce or adapt it freely (in most global jurisdictions).

But here’s where it gets interesting: the Saint-Exupéry estate - the late author's estate - didn’t simply let the story float freely into the commercial wild. Instead, they shifted their strategy and turned to trademark law to continue protecting the essence of The Little Prince in the marketplace.

From Copyright to Trademark: A Strategic (and brilliant!) Reinvention

While copyright protects original creative works for a limited time, trademark protects brand identity, and it can last forever, as long as it’s actively used in commerce and enforced by its owners.

The Saint-Exupéry estate understood this and took decisive action. Today, The Little Prince is a registered trademark in numerous countries. Its protections extend to:

• The title itself
• Character names and likenesses (e.g., the Prince, the fox, the rose)
• Distinctive visuals and watercolor style
• Product lines including toys, books, clothing, jewelry, and even exhibitions and theme parks

This trademark portfolio allows the estate to prevent unauthorized commercial uses that could confuse consumers or dilute the brand. So while anyone may now publish their own version of the story (in most global jurisdictions), you can’t launch a “Little Prince” toy line, fashion brand, or product collection without risking trademark infringement.

The IP Lesson for Creators and Companies

This story offers a powerful lesson: Copyright is temporary. Trademarks can be timeless.

For anyone developing intellectual property—whether it’s a children’s book, a SaaS platform, a creative business, or a lifestyle brand—building trademark protection into your long-term strategy is essential. It’s how you move from “one-time work” to “ongoing brand.”

As an IP attorney, I help creators and companies spot these opportunities early and protect them smartly. It’s not just about filing paperwork—it’s about understanding what your audience connects with and ensuring you can protect and leverage that connection as you grow.

To this day, when I flip through the pages of my original-publication copy of The Little Prince, I’m reminded not only of its emotional and philosophical beauty—but also of the brilliance behind how its legacy has been preserved.

The world may change, markets may evolve, and laws may expire—but with the right IP strategy, a story can endure. A brand can endure. And even a little prince, alone on an asteroid, can keep inspiring generations to come.