Disney is suing the electronic DJ Deadmau5 over his logo

[Cold71]

I just have to laugh at this. The logos look nothing a like aside from the fact that they both have large ears. As someone also stated, the logo isn't primarily black. I hope Deadmau5 wins this, I feel like Disney is being a tad ridiculous... I'm not sure how anyone would feel confused over this. The guy makes electronic music, not theme parks and kids movies.

Also for those talking about his finances, this guy is definitely not hurting for money, he ran a customized Ferrari in the last Gumball 3000. For those of you not familiar with that event..aside from having to own an expensive car, the entrance fee for that event is $100,000.

 

[Reddog1134]

I hope Deadmau5 wins this, I feel like Disney is being a tad ridiculous...

As it's been said, Disney HAS to protect their trademark. The Disney execs might not even feel that the logos are that similar. However, if they let it go unchallenged it sets a precedence.

It's possible they know they are going to lose but it shows that they still claim ownership of their trademark and tried to defend it.

 

[Hoodie]

I have never heard of this person nor seen the logos until now. Reading up on it, Disney is opposing the black and white logo, which to me is very similar to the Disney logo. They are not contesting the costume he uses which looks pretty different from the logo he's attempting to trademark.

Also, after seeing his tweets....the guy is an a**. I hope he loses just for that.

 

[Bobmc27]

I think he might just win Isn't the name and logo just an elaborte parody of Mickey?

 

[jon18uk]

I think he might just win Isn't the name and logo just an elaborte parody of Mickey?

Yes and that is wh Disney haven't challenged it before. But now he is applying for the trademark for a flat, black and white logo Disney have to protect their trademark to stop dilution of their brand.

 

[rrali33tt]

I think he might just win Isn't the name and logo just an elaborte parody of Mickey?

I think you might be correct. I was curious...and looked up the word mouse in different languages and mouse in german is spelled maus ..coincidence that his name is deadmau5 ? 5 replacing an S? A gross name if that is how he came up with his name. Maybe he has something against Mickey lol

I am very interested in what happens with this. I don't know whose side I am on yet. I can see the resemblance and I do think he could have came up with something more original.

 

[beer dave]

I think you might be correct. I was curious...and looked up the word mouse in different languages and mouse in german is spelled maus ..coincidence that his name is deadmau5 ? 5 replacing an S? A gross name if that is how he came up with his name. Maybe he has something against Mickey lol

I just thought that was a given...He needs to lose.

 

[Nudoru]

I think you might be correct. I was curious...and looked up the word mouse in different languages and mouse in german is spelled maus ..coincidence that his name is deadmau5 ? 5 replacing an S? A gross name if that is how he came up with his name. Maybe he has something against Mickey lol

I am very interested in what happens with this. I don't know whose side I am on yet. I can see the resemblance and I do think he could have came up with something more original.

so.. confused on how its "gross" , but the origin of the name and why its spelled the way it is is referenced here, it is not german, nor a dig on mickey in any way. IMO ,You guys need to expand your horizons and stop being so angry with everything that you falsely believe is a dig at ol' uncle Walt. Do some research before you start spreading the hate.

Additionally, Joel's music can be heard in the lobby and through the speakers of Disney quest and in various gift shops at DTD. Very likely you've heard it before and never realized it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadmau5 ( the following is corroborated on several other sites, and from Joel himself in various interviews. )

Origin of "deadmau5"


Zimmerman's father claims that when his son was in his early teens, he was chatting with a friend on his computer, which then abruptly shut off. According to Zimmerman's father, he said that it had a smell like burnt wire and had a strange odor. Zimmerman started to dismantle his computer and happened to find a dead mouse. Zimmerman then became known as the "dead mouse guy" among friends. Joel tried to change his name to "Deadmouse" in an online chat room, but it was too long, so he shortened it to "deadmau5", which is a form of leet.[7]

Joel created the original logo—called "mau5head"—while learning how to use some 3D modelling software.[40] The logo appears in many different colors and designs, and has been shown on the cover of most of Zimmerman's albums, with the exceptions of At Play and Vexillology. He was given the idea to wear a headdress based on the logo by one of his friends, Jay Gordon of the industrial metal band Orgy. In an interview with CBC Television, Zimmerman said that he wants his logo to be an "icon". Fans often attend Deadmau5 concerts sporting their own copy of the mau5head.

He created "deadmau5.com" and began uploading songs to SectionZ and producing under the alias "deadmau5" in 2002.[41][42]

 

[Zooshoveller]

I always thought his logo looked like Muppet.

 

[beer dave]

so.. confused on how its "gross" , but the origin of the name and why its spelled the way it is is referenced here, it is not german, nor a dig on mickey in any way. IMO ,You guys need to expand your horizons and stop being so angry with everything that you falsely believe is a dig at ol' uncle Walt. Do some research before you start spreading the hate.

Believe it or not, some people thing dead mice are gross.

No one is angry except for you, and I find no personal benefit to learning about a music style I have no interest in, but thanks for suggesting it.

Having an opinion as to how a law suit should be decided is not spreading hate.


Additionally, Joel's music can be heard in the lobby and through the speakers of Disney quest and in various gift shops at DTD. Very likely you've heard it before and never realized it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadmau5 ( the following is corroborated on several other sites, and from Joel himself in various interviews. )

Origin of "deadmau5"


Zimmerman's father claims that when his son was in his early teens, he was chatting with a friend on his computer, which then abruptly shut off. According to Zimmerman's father, he said that it had a smell like burnt wire and had a strange odor. Zimmerman started to dismantle his computer and happened to find a dead mouse. Zimmerman then became known as the "dead mouse guy" among friends. Joel tried to change his name to "Deadmouse" in an online chat room, but it was too long, so he shortened it to "deadmau5", which is a form of leet.[7]

Joel created the original logo—called "mau5head"—while learning how to use some 3D modelling software.[40] The logo appears in many different colors and designs, and has been shown on the cover of most of Zimmerman's albums, with the exceptions of At Play and Vexillology. He was given the idea to wear a headdress based on the logo by one of his friends, Jay Gordon of the industrial metal band Orgy. In an interview with CBC Television, Zimmerman said that he wants his logo to be an "icon". Fans often attend Deadmau5 concerts sporting their own copy of the mau5head.

He created "deadmau5.com" and began uploading songs to SectionZ and producing under the alias "deadmau5" in 2002.[41][42]

So is he your nephew? Or more likely Uncle.

Interesting story. I still think the mask is a copyright infringement.

Even now that I am educated.

 

[shepd]

Trademark infringement, well, that's a perhaps.

It's not copyright infringement. For that he'd have to have taken a direct pic of steamboat willie and published it.

Trust me... the difference is important! One gets charges several times the GDP of medium sized countries and lifetime imprisonment, the other... not so much.

 

[Teamubr]

Origin of "deadmau5"

Zimmerman's father claims that when his son was in his early teens, he was chatting with a friend on his computer, which then abruptly shut off. According to Zimmerman's father, he said that it had a smell like burnt wire and had a strange odor. Zimmerman started to dismantle his computer and happened to find a dead mouse. Zimmerman then became known as the "dead mouse guy" among friends. Joel tried to change his name to "Deadmouse" in an online chat room, but it was too long, so he shortened it to "deadmau5", which is a form of leet.[7]

I'll start by saying I really don't care how this suit plays out. If Disney wins, good for them. If Joel wins, good for him.

But being the cynical basta... that I am, there are many questionable things in the Wiki story. First it is on Wiki. Next is what I underlined above. This starts out like one of the "my brothers, baby momma's aunt's, cousin's, best friend's, neighbor knew somebody..." I'd want a better source than "My dad said..." As for Joel restating the story himself. So. I'd do the same thing to try to build a case for my self. It's the typical political strategy. If you say it enough times, no matter how silly it is, people will start to believe it.

Joel created the original logo—called "mau5head"—while learning how to use some 3D modelling software.[40]

How does this prove anything? Look at the cool logo I just created using Powerpoint.

And I can make it in different colors too, but that won't stop GM from coming after me.

j

 

[Nudoru]

So is he your nephew? Or more likely Uncle.

Interesting story. I still think the mask is a copyright infringement.

Even now that I am educated.

Wait so you cover your opinion "I still think the mask is copyright infringement" with a thinly veiled attempt at either an insult or attempt to discredit character?

"So is he your nephew? Or more likely Uncle."

Actually neither, Im not Canadian and definitely older than Joel. No relation at all in fact, neither familial nor business.

Your response however sounds about right for "internet tough guy/ keyboard warrior 101". You don't have to hide your opinions behind obviously un -provable insults.... or maybe you do to make yourself feel better. I voiced mine pretty directly to the entire board, not just you.

Either way, just proves my point about blindly attacking something even slightly against the mouse company, or the group-think that permeates most forums. Additionally, if you are going to attempt to attack someone, at least have the decency to quote the entire post so that your responses can remain in the proper context.

And to frame this out, I still think that my statement regarding the initial jump to condemn someone without even a shred of research to understand both sides of the entire situation still stands. Admittedly, I didn't phrase it exactly that way, so I can understand the knee jerk reaction, I could have worded it differently and we probably wouldn't have this discussion at all, but I didn't, so I can accept the blame for that.

 

[beer dave]

Wait so you cover your opinion "I still think the mask is copyright infringement" with a thinly veiled attempt at either an insult or attempt to discredit character?

"So is he your nephew? Or more likely Uncle."

Actually neither, Im not Canadian and definitely older than Joel. No relation at all in fact, neither familial nor business.

Your response however sounds about right for "internet tough guy/ keyboard warrior 101". You don't have to hide your opinions behind obviously un -provable insults.... or maybe you do to make yourself feel better. I voiced mine pretty directly to the entire board, not just you.

Either way, just proves my point about blindly attacking something even slightly against the mouse company, or the group-think that permeates most forums. Additionally, if you are going to attempt to attack someone, at least have the decency to quote the entire post so that your responses can remain in the proper context.

And to frame this out, I still think that my statement regarding the initial jump to condemn someone without even a shred of research to understand both sides of the entire situation still stands. Admittedly, I didn't phrase it exactly that way, so I can understand the knee jerk reaction, I could have worded it differently and we probably wouldn't have this discussion at all, but I didn't, so I can accept the blame for that.

Wow you are insulting my character and calling me names, insulting my intelligence, my opinion, and you call me the internet tough guy?

And as for the bolded..... I did quote your entire post, however, you just quoted a small section of mine...... get it straight.

And yes, my response was due to your guns blazing.

 

[Savikins]

The mau5 head looks nothing like a Mickey head. Besides, there really is so little deadmau5 merchandise that has the mau5 head on it but doesn't include the text "deadmau5" under the logo... It's pretty difficult to confuse something as a Mickey head when it clearly says "deadmau5" underneath.

Just an observation, every person I've encountered who says the mau5 head looks like a Mickey head and is all like "omg copyright infringement!1!" is really old...

I'm fairly sure Deadmau5 will win this case.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

The mau5 head looks nothing like a Mickey head. Besides, there really is so little deadmau5 merchandise that has the mau5 head on it but doesn't include the text "deadmau5" under the logo... It's pretty difficult to confuse something as a Mickey head when it clearly says "deadmau5" underneath.

Just an observation, every person I've encountered who says the mau5 head looks like a Mickey head and is all like "omg copyright infringement!1!" is really old...

I'm fairly sure Deadmau5 will win this case.

I'm fairly sure the judge that will decide the case will be what you would call "old" so I am VERY sure the kid will lose his case...not that he will have much of one. If he follows his typical "artistic" philosophy he will just cut and paste different chapters from John Grisham novels together and call it an original legal brief

The case is simple...he filed to trademark the logo (not his helmet) to protect it from having being copied...Disney filed to block that trademark as it is too similar to an image (the mickey logo) that they already have a trademark on. It is going to be tough for him...and his "lawyer-up" taunt to Disney is not going to do him any favors.

In the end, he will probably end up owing Disney some serious cash to cover legal fees if he is crazy enough to file this suit against Disney.

 

[Savikins]

I'm fairly sure the judge that will decide the case will be what you would call "old" so I am VERY sure the kid will lose his case...not that he will have much of one. If he follows his typical "artistic" philosophy he will just cut and paste different chapters from John Grisham novels together and call it an original legal brief

The case is simple...he filed to trademark the logo (not his helmet) to protect it from having being copied...Disney filed to block that trademark as it is too similar to an image (the mickey logo) that they already have a trademark on. It is going to be tough for him...and his "lawyer-up" taunt to Disney is not going to do him any favors.

In the end, he will probably end up owing Disney some serious cash to cover legal fees if he is crazy enough to file this suit against Disney.

Even if he doesn't win the case (which he will - the mau5 head looks nothing like Mickey mouse - Disney does not own everything that looks vaguely mouse-like) this is literally just giving deadmau5 a bunch of publicity. Many of the younger kids who might not have ever heard of him before, are hearing about him now, and they think he's even cooler because he's not letting "the man" or "big evil corporations" (in this case, Disney) boss him around. He'll likely make more money from his new fans than he will owe to Disney if he loses.

Like previous posters have said, though, the mau5 head is already a trademark in deadmau5's home country of Canada. In fact, I get the feeling he may have just attempted to register it as a TM in the US for a chance at a controversy (he knows how uptight and sue-happy Americans and American corporations are, pretty much everyone does), and consequently, more publicity. I wouldn't put it past him, he's smart and really wonderful at marketing.

 

[Cold71]

I'm fairly sure the judge that will decide the case will be what you would call "old" so I am VERY sure the kid will lose his case...not that he will have much of one. If he follows his typical "artistic" philosophy he will just cut and paste different chapters from John Grisham novels together and call it an original legal brief

The case is simple...he filed to trademark the logo (not his helmet) to protect it from having being copied...Disney filed to block that trademark as it is too similar to an image (the mickey logo) that they already have a trademark on. It is going to be tough for him...and his "lawyer-up" taunt to Disney is not going to do him any favors.

In the end, he will probably end up owing Disney some serious cash to cover legal fees if he is crazy enough to file this suit against Disney.

lol This sounds like a Disney legal department fantasy. This case is nothing more then a battle of perception and far from clear cut. At the end of the day though the judge will need to decide if it looks too similar and I have a really hard time believing simply because it's a head with ears that Disney is going to win this.