During the 2022 Christmas season, Burger King ran a collab event. Even a neighborhood dog walking by could tell it was Mickey Mouse, but...
Hee hee hee, Burger King didn't pay Disney a single dime. They wouldn't just use it willy-nilly without knowing how scary Disney is, right? So how the hell did this happen?
It's because there's a separate brand called 'Mickey' in Paraguay. Anyone can see they totally ripped off Mickey Mouse, but it's a completely different company unrelated to Disney.
You guys are totally insane and have a death wish! When Disney found out, they sued the Paraguayan court starting in 1991, but they lost every single time.
Paraguay's 'Mickey' company has been around since 1935, and their Mickey trademark was registered since at least 1956. Disney didn't raise any objections until 1991. Basically, you gotta accept that the Paraguayan 'Mickey' company has the legal right to use the Mickey trademark.
Also, we're a food company, not a company that makes animations or whatever. So, since our core industries were different, we basically weren't infringing on your interests at all~
WTF, that makes no sense! Disney must have felt wronged, but what can you do? The Paraguayan Supreme Court said so. In the end, at least within Paraguay, 'Mickey' was allowed to continue using the trademark as is.
However, the rumor is that Disney only registered the full frontal view in 1928, and the Mickey company realized this, registered the side profile, and the Paraguayan Supreme Court classified it as a different mouse, leading to Mickey's victory. That story, though, isn't in the actual ruling.
The takeaway is that the Mickey trademark was used first in Paraguay, their sectors were different so consumer confusion wasn't guaranteed, and Disney exercised their rights too late, allowing 'Mickey' to form a legal right. In short, Disney lost the right to complain due to administrative/judicial procedure. Maybe the author just couldn't find the 'face angle' story, but the 'losing the right' story is definitely less fun. I bet that's why the funnier story was created. Statute of limitations and legal rights blah blah blah... (Too academic and boring) The angle of the mug was different, lol (Short. Easy to remember).
Grrr... Grrr... I'll get you bastards. Of course, 'Mickey' only has that right within Paraguay and only in the food industry. And most importantly, they can't show the face straight on. The second they turn it front-facing, it won't be recognized as the original Mickey trademark. Since they can't just secretly use it and wait for time to pass like in the 20th century, Disney will definitely come over and beat their asses, saying, 'I already hated the sight of you, you son of a bitch, and now I finally caught you.'
I'LL G3T Y0U B4ST4RDS~~~~ LOLOLOL! Since that's the case, no one can stop a burger like that from being released in collaboration with Burger King Paraguay. Is it Paraguay? (Check) Is it food? (Check) Is it a side profile? (Check) If you're triggered, don't procrastinate and get your work done early, that's what I'm saying. -End-
"Disney's copyright grip is so tight people joke about drawing Mickey to get rescued, but apparently, angles and early registration beat the Mouse King! Also, shoutout to Stormtrooper makgeolli."
#FunContinue Browsing
