Originally Posted By mele <a href="http://gawker.com/disney-would-like-you-to-celebrate-disney-de-los-muert-494503529" target="_blank">http://gawker.com/disney-would...94503529</a> In 10 applications filed May 1 through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Disney Enterprises Inc. is attempting to trademark the phrase "Dia de los Muertos." If successful, the corporation would be able to go after individual companies who attempt to use "Dia de los Muertos" for profit in the areas of education and entertainment, goods and services, apparel, toys, and food items ___________ Really hoping this story isn't true but thought it would be interesting to share.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Even if it is true, not sure Disney would win this one... That would be like trying to trademark 4th of July or Memorial Day....
Originally Posted By mele Very true...I can't decide if it's ballsy move to even try this or just par for the course.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I would be pretty surprised if Disney won, since it's already a phrase that is being used widely, with no relation to the upcoming film. My bet is that they don't get it and end up giving the film a single-word adjective title (like "Exhausted"), in Spanish If they did get it, everybody would have to start dancing around the phrase, like how nobody is allowed to say "Super Bowl" on TV unless they're a sponsor (though it seems like they can use it after the game all they want...go figure)
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Disney has decided not to pursue this any further according to reports... Is it just me or has Disney acted more idiotic than normal lately, between this and Seal Team 6, Disney seems to be trying to trademark everything
Originally Posted By utahjosh There were movies for Valentines Day and New Years Eve...did the company making those movies do the same?
Originally Posted By mawnck >>This is like the story my sister tells of when she worked in the legal department at EsMark (Smith Premium Hams and other food brands) where they once tried to trademark the term soup. Lawyers with time on their hands will come up with the craziest things to burn billable hours.<< <a href="http://www.cringely.com/2012/12/18/instagrams-exit-plan/" target="_blank">http://www.cringely.com/2012/1...it-plan/</a>
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance <a href="http://social.entertainment.msn.com/blogs/pop-spy-blog.aspx?feat=a952be98-9309-47a0-b66d-11a4e5151ae2" target="_blank">http://social.entertainment.ms...e5151ae2</a> "“As we have previously announced, Disney-Pixar is developing an animated feature inspired by the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muerto,” said the studio. “Disney’s trademark filing was intended to protect any potential title for our film and related activities. It has since been determined that the title of the film will change, and therefore we are withdrawing our trademark filing.”" You called it Ferret!
Originally Posted By DlandDug You would be amazed at what is trademarked and licensed out there. That Disney attempted to trademark "Dia De Los Muertos" is just business as usual. They did trademark "Hunchback of Notre Dame," forcing the maker of the reissued Aurora model kit to change the box copy to "The Bell Ringer of Notre Dame." Disney had to go back and add copyright stickers to early DCA souvenirs when they inadvertently included a cartoon depiction of the Hollywood sign, but failed to pay the license fee to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The HCoC also owns copyright to the Walk of Fame, and aggressively pursues anyone who depicts any pink stars with gold names emblazoned. Most funny was when the HCoC attempted to secure rights to the name "Hollywood." Seems there were a objections from other cities named Hollywood, not the least the one in Florida, who successfully blocked the effort.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>They did trademark "Hunchback of Notre Dame,"<< It seems crazy that anyone could do that who isn't named Victor Hugo.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I mean, "Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame?" Okay, it has the word Disney in there. Makes sense that Fox couldn't release something called "Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame." But I wonder what grounds they used to be able to own a title that is in the public domain, written in the early 1800s? Seems excessive and unfair.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The title of the original French book is "Notre Dame de Paris", so I suppose the English title isn't really representative of Hugo's intent. If the novel's English title were "Our Lady of Paris" or even "Notre Dame of Paris", and Disney tried to trademark that, I could see where there might be issues. But given that it's not a direct translation, and how long it's been since it was written (public domain), I could see some plausability to Disney's case That said, I'm surprised that they were actually able to do it!
