Comments on: Disney files $1,000,000 Lawsuit Against Family Party Business for Use of Pooh Characters

By: Disney sues another party company over trademark, copyright | The Disney Blog

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:15:57 +0000

[...] similar lawsuit was filed last month against an Orlando area [...]

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:21:19 +0000

You all know the history of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, right? It all started with a train crash in 1900 killing one engineer named Cayce Jones. That crash inspired the fireman on that train ride to write a song commemorating Jones. That song became popular, passed along from railroad to railroad, and some others took it and turned it into a popular song about “Casey Jones.” That was so popular, that some other songwriters basically remixed the song into one about a Steamboat captain: Steamboat Bill. That became so popular that Buster Keaton made a silent film called “Steamboat Bill Jr.” And, finally, that inspired Walt Disney to take the idea of a mouse named Mickey (which some believe he got from a popular toy named Micky Mouse sold by an entirely different company) and created a parody video called “Steamboat Willie.” That launched Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney into a world of fame and fortune — all based on this creative passing on of songs, names, characters and content — all of which Disney now believes should be illegal.

Just something to think about.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:18:30 +0000

That family knew exactly what they were doing and got caught. if any of you made something and it was the heart and soul of your company you would want to protect it too! I am behind Disney 100%

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:20:30 +0000

I’ve been reading about this case – The couple have done everything requested by Disney except destroy the actual costumes. They returned the costumes to the sellers for a refund because they needed the money. Disney is still suing them even though they can no longer can infringe on their copyright.

The funny thing is that, with the couple dancing around as tigger and eyeore, they were actually promoting Disney. Now, with them getting sued, Disney is actually getting BAD publicity. How exactly is this good business sense?

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:36:01 +0000

Just to clarify-- under US law, trademarks must be legally enforced to protect them from abandonment; copyrights do not carry any such a requirement.

By: wordvixen

wordvixen — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:14:18 +0000

I can believe that she didn’t understand copyright (or is this trademark?)law. I know A LOT of people who have no clue about these things. But, as a business person, it’s your job to find out.

The video didn’t say if that was her personal MySpace page, or the business’s that had that last picture. It makes no difference from a legal stand point, but usually no one will go after individuals hosting pictures. A business however, would be asking for it by leaving that up after getting the cease and desist.

By: tony

tony — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:12:59 +0000

I totally see Disney’s side. But why doesn’t Disney also go after the people who take a camcorder to the Magic Kingdom and later issue & openly sell a DVD of the park online? Or the websites that sell magazines filled with images of Disney theme parks? How or why are they protected? I want to do it too! :)

By: The Radio Star

The Radio Star — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:07:13 +0000

Kudos to Disney. Those idiots deserve to be sued.

By: John Frost

John Frost — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:12:48 +0000

I believe the whole point of the lawsuit was that Disney asked them to stop, meet certain conditions, and that the family didn’t comply.

By: Paz

Paz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:09:35 +0000

Woah, does Disney need the money that badly? I understand maybe a cease and desist type letter and then following up, but a million dollars? They definitely just want to throw their weight around.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:21:50 +0000

Matt – Friend look to your law.
in most US States if you don’t agressivly protect your copywright you loose all of it. It is as you say a shame but…

By: Liz. S

Liz. S — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:56:16 +0000

Food stamps or no, this family violated the law, and then when they were asked to remove the images from their websites, they did not comply.

Why should they get away with breaking the law?

By: Liz. S

Liz. S — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:54:17 +0000

As an artist, I have to side with the Mouse. You HAVE to protect your copyrights and trademarks, because no one else will do it for you. And I simply cannot believe that this woman didn’t know that using Disney characters and Disney art without permission was wrong.

It’s not about being heartless. It’s the LAW. And it’s the law for everyone, whether they’re a small artist like me or a multi-national company like Disney. These people were wrong, and they got caught.

By: Matt Bacon

Matt Bacon — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:32:53 +0000

My gosh, those Disney people are heartless. I may LOVE Disneyland TO DEATH, but I have to say I feel for the family and NOT the company…She’s on food stamps for cripes sakes, and you believe she should be punished FURTHER? Dang, you’re a snake, a heartless snake!