Politics, Society

The Mouse Captures The Seals: Disney Moves To Claim Trademark to “Seal Team Six”

I have long been a critic of our trademark and copyright laws for years as companies claim an ever-widening array of common names and symbols — suing over everything from the right to use of an apple in a logo to using expressions like “who dat? Now, Walt Disney has filed for trademark rights to the name “Seal Team 6” only days after the Bin Laden operation.

Trademark and copyright laws were designed to protect creativity and encourage productivity. Instead, they are now becoming constant threats to writers, artists, and others who use common symbols or expressions. Even such iconic speeches as “I have a dream” have been the subject of litigation despite the fact that they are given on the Washington mall in public events.

President Obama has yielded to copyright hawks and has supported the criminalization of violations. The White House has even threatened bloggers with the improper use of the presidential seal on their sites. In the meantime, attorneys suing citizens under these laws are now suing people who are trying to help citizens accused of violations.

Citizens are being hit with ridiculous demands for damages and cease-and-desist orders. This is a case of lobbyists controlling the agenda in Congress with increasingly absurd results.

Disney will soon own Seal Team Six because it is . . . well . . . Disney. In the future, it would save time to imply have formal sponsors and product placement in such raids.

Just for the record, Disney has already found the seals to be a bit of a handful:

Source: USA Today

Thank you Elaine for the Mickey clip!

43 thoughts on “The Mouse Captures The Seals: Disney Moves To Claim Trademark to “Seal Team Six””

  4. Frank,

    “I heard Grammer whining on an interview how after “Cheers” …”

    Yes, all because of his politics and “Fraiser” was a figment of his imagination. Not because he’s a second-rate actor or anything … nah, it couldn’t possibly be that!

    Well, Kelsey does have issues with walking straight so maybe that had something to do with it:

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuQAEVLljF4&w=640&h=390]

  5. drat!

    Of course hes from the old school: “I got mine screw you” school of conservatives.

    There are others I am sure but I am forgetting them.

    BTW – I heard Grammer whining on an interview how after “Cheers” nobody in Hollywood would hire him because of his politics. Thats right, the moron actually was claiming he couldn’t get work after Cheers. Had it been a call in show I would have asked him if the coke binges blocked out “Fraiser” and that horrible turkey movie he made.

  6. Blouise,

    “I don’t hang with a savvy crowd.”

    Lol – it’s not you or your crowd. Even the savviest of individuals didn’t see this one coming!

    —————————————————

    Frank,

    Lmao! Glaring omission! Craig T. Nelson, he of “I’ve been on welfare and food stamps…did anyone help me?” fame!

  7. OH! Just thought of 2 more Seals – Gary Sinise & Sly Stallone. I think they will need to have Tom Sellek as VP & Ben Stain will be the intrepid reporter covering the story.

  8. Blouise – the teabaggers will not allow just anyone to be in this film. I think they will want casting as follows:
    POtUS – Fred Thompson
    SecDef – Bruce Willis
    Chief Naval Ops – Kelsey Grammer
    Seal#1 – Mel Gibson
    Seal#2 – Adam Carolla
    Seal#3 – Jon Cryer
    Seal#4 – Robert Davi
    Seal#5 – Stephen Baldwin
    Wife#1 – Elizabeth Hasslebeck
    Wife#2 – Patricia Heaton

    Have I missed a hollywood wingnut?

    Yeah, it’ll suck

  9. During a dinner party the other night the subject as to whom the Navy would grant the rights to make the movie was discussed. My money was placed on Clint Eastwood. No one even thought of, let alone mentioned Disney … I don’t hang with a savvy crowd.

  10. Sponsorship isn’t a bad idea. Let Disney pay for the cost of the raid, and they can have a trademark on Seal Team 6. Otherwise, let the US keep the trademark, and let Disney pay a licensing fee for using it.

  11. I agree with JT that trademark and copyright laws have gone too far in supposedly protecting individuals and corporations intellectual property rights. This particular instance is so ridiculous that it only underlines that these laws and rulings have strayed to far from their original intent.

  14. Disgusting… and I agree with Blouise… “Greed”

    “How can a private entity claim the trademark for a US Navy term that has been in use by the Navy for quite some time now? -rafflaw

    A good question from one of the lawyers…

  15. How can a private entity claim the trademark for a US Navy term that has been in use by the Navy for quite some time now?

  17. Does this mean the Navy won’t be able use “SEAL Team 6” without paying licensing fees to Disney?

  20. I really don’t understand how this happens. Seal Team Six may (or may not 😉 ) be a real thing but some unrelated entity can claim the trademark? This is like the clown that got the copyright on “Happy Birthday” or the one that trademarked “Final Four”. Neither did a thing to create those things but claimed them for their own & profited. Thats just plain wrong.

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