UPDATE, 6 P.M.: After a flurry of online outrage, Disney has decided to no longer pursue a trademark on “Dia de los Muertos.”
See Also:
*Lawsuit: Disneyland Employee Dressed as White Rabbit Refused to Hug Black Child
*Disneyland and AIDS Charity Sued for Darth Vader Swinging at Bird But Hitting Lady
*Noche de Altares 2012: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Santa Ana
In a statement provided to the public-radio network Fronteras, a Disney spokesperson told them they had tried to trademark the name because it might've been the name for a planned Pixar film that is to be Dia de los Muertos-themed. “It has since been determined that the title of the film will change and therefore we are withdrawing our trademark filing” the spokesperson said.
Gee, I wonder why the film's title changed in the course of less than 12 hours?
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ORIGINAL POST, 12 P.M. Oh, that silly Disney! In their eternal push to make money off of everything and anything, they're prepping a Pixar film based on Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday that's increasingly becoming popular in the United States for its colorful commemoration of the dead. That's not necessarily offensive on its face–I still remember the magnificent Grim Fandango computer game from the 1990s, which was all about Day of the Dead imagery but did it in an awesome manner.
But what is offensive is Disney's latest move: they're seeking multiple opportunities to trademark “Dia de los Muertos” as a phrase.
Here's the full list of everything they plan to adorn with “Dia de los Muertos,” per filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office Disney submitted just last week.
And a one and a two and a…
*”A standard character mark”
*For “Fruit preserves; fruit-based snack foods; eggs; jams; jellies; potato chips; nuts; dairy products; meat; poultry; fruits; vegetables; prepared or packaged meals consisting primarily of meat, fish, poultry or vegetables”
*For “Toys, games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles (except clothing); hand-held units for playing electronic games for use with or without an external display screen or monitor; Christmas stockings; Christmas tree ornaments and decorations; snow globes”
*For “Clothing, footwear and headwear”
*For “Bags; backpacks; calling card cases; coin purses; fanny packs; key cases; key chains; luggage; luggage tags; purses; umbrellas; wallets”
*For “Paper and paper articles; cardboard and cardboard articles; printed matter; publications; books; photographs; portraits; paintings; stationery; office and school supplies”
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*For “Clocks; jewelry; jewelry boxes; jewelry cases; key rings of precious metal; coins; watches; watch bands”
*For “Apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; audio books; audio recordings; audio and visual recordings; video game software; computer programs and software; consumer electronics and accessories therefor; eyeglasses and sunglasses and accessories therefor; binoculars; decorative magnets; graduated rulers”
*For “Cosmetics; dentifrices; non-medicated toiletries; fragrances; perfumes”
*Confectionery and chewing gum; breakfast cereals and preparations made from cereals; cereal bars; bread; muffins; muffin bars; pastry; waffles; pancakes; cookies; crackers; biscuits; popcorn; corn chips; pretzels; puddings; coffee; tea; cocoa; sugar; rice; flour; ices; ice; honey; condiments; sauces; spices; pizza; pasta and noodles; macaroni and cheese; frozen meals consisting primarily of pasta or rice; staple foods
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