There’s been much buzz about Disney trying to block Deadmau5’s mouse head trademark application. Deadmau5 has already trademarked the head in 30 countries, but Disney only objected when he tried to do the same in the U.S. Disney says Deadmau5’s logo is too similar to their Mickey logo and filed a 171 page opposition to his application.
Deadmau5 responded on Twitter, saying:
“Disney thinks you might confuse an established electronic musician / performer with a cartoon mouse. That’s how stupid they think you are… lawyer up mickey”
Now, in a turn of events, Deadmau5 has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Disney. The letter says Disney is using his song “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” in a Mickey Mouse remix video without permission.
undefined on Disney Video
It looks like Disney might already be removing the video, as it loads sometimes but leads me to an error page at other times.
Here’s Deadmau5′ full cease and desist letter:
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“The letter says Disney is using his song “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” in a Mickey Mouse remix video without permission.”
they dont need any permission from d5 to do this!!!
?
Adolph, explain yourself.
adolf, where did you get your law degree? you need to sue them!
This is so embarrassing, everybody knows he stole that logo.
no i don’t think everyone knows that
Everyone who knows what it takes to trademark a logo…
How do any of you know he “stole” the logo? Did I miss the news story that unearthed Joel’s video-taped confession to stealing the resemblance of Mickey Mouse?
I didn’t think so…
And regardless of what he did, Disney straight up JACKED that song without his permission, and THAT we have evidence of front and center.
“How do any of you know he “stole” the logo?”
Um, because it’s strikingly similar to the original; because he had access, because he uses name as well as image and because Disney was first?
You have to protect and police your brand constantly in order to keep it, that’s trademark 101. If you don’t, it loses it distinctiveness and eventually goes ‘Xerox’, ‘Aspirin’ and ‘Frisbee’.
It’s embarrassing for an otherwise original artist to steal people’s work like that and even trying to trademark it. His only defense is parody and that won’t fly when we’re talking trademarks.
Taking it down isn’t good enough. ISP’s need to block the entire domain and Google needs to de-list any and all Disney sites from its search engines!
Dear Mr. Deadmau5,
As any knowledgeable entertainment lawyer will tell you and I am sure Ms. LaPolt has done so, you are now up against THE most powerful, devastating and scorched-earth type legal department in the entertainment industry. If you continue, your legal bills will drain your income, your mind will be blown away by this and whether or not you prevail doesn’t matter to the mouse. They play the long game i.e. he who is standing last wins.
Good luck!
My money is on Disney having the rights through the publisher and why would they inform Deadmau5 about it.
He should fire his lawyer. Due diligence suggests that it is up to his lawyer to find out if Virgin or EMI granted licenses before they send a letter to show face on social media and only end up embarrassing themselves.
His attorney is a complete idiot.
He’s in the wrong. Disney trademarked the ears. If you can’t figure that out you need to stay out of legal issues. This is a slam dunk. Using his music is a diversion. Perhaps they got it from his label. Doesn’t matter though. They are unrelated with regard to the law and he will lose the ears case.
Maybe he should be dead beaver instead. Or better yet. Angry dead beaver.
He’s in the wrong. Disney trademarked the ears. If you can’t figure that out you need to stay out of legal issues. This is a slam dunk. Using his music is a diversion. Perhaps they got it from his label. Doesn’t matter though. They are unrelated with regard to the law and he will lose the ears case.
Maybe he should be dead beaver instead.
I guarantee that they’ll provide a license ASAP. The guy is a hothead and doesn’t think before acting.
this is now, hilarious