Disney stole Fast Pass Idea

[TennVolTony]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Tennessee inventor is suing the Walt Disney Co. claiming the company stole his idea for the FastPass ride reservation system, according to Local 6 News.




Five years ago, Disney theme parks began using its popular FastPass system where visitors receive a ticket with a reservation time allowing them enter a ride at a separate entrance and skip long lines.

Robery Keyes said he came up with the FastPass idea nearly a decade before Disney came up with the concept. Keyes said he dreamed the ride system in 1990 after watching an elderly man collpase from heat exhaustion at Disney MGM Studios.

"I thought I had it," Keyes said. "This is the magic bullet to do away with lines."

Keyes said he mailed a description of his invention to Walt Disney World.

According to a federal lawsuit, Keyes received a letter from Disney saying his invention would not work and would result in "more guest inconvenience," according to Local 6 News.

Keyes said he was watching the Travel Channel when he noticed a show promoting Disney's FastPass.





"I heard in the background, they were describing their system, and I said, 'darn that sounds familiar,'" Keyes said.

Keyes logged on to the U.S. patent Web site and found Disney's claim to the invention.

"I looked at the patent, I read the abstract and description and said, 'my God, they took the whole thing'", Keyes said.

Keyes is suing hoping to get credit for the invention as well as financial compensation.

"Here Disney had told me that the system wouldn't work," Keyes said. "They told me it was an inconvenience to the guests. Then they turn around and patent it, so that others couldn't use the system, and they didn't even put my name as the inventor."

A Disney spokeswoman said the company is still evaluating the lawsuit.

Local 6 News reported that companies like Disney are often targets of intellectual property lawsuits.

Four years ago, a jury awarded two businessmen $240 million ruling that Disney stole the idea for their Wide World of Sports complex

 

[cheyita]

I wonder if he still has his original, dated letter and their response. Very interesting...

 

[Micca]

I have heard of people who sent letters to Disney with various ideas. In return they received a Disney lawyer letter stating in no uncertain terms that Disney does not accept unsolicited ideas.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I sent a letter in several years ago suggesting that they have a credit card that offered rewards. The original letter was returned to me with a letter stating they don't accept suggestions. They now of course have the Disney Visa but I would not attribute credit to myself for the idea. Almost everyone has one these days. I wasn't even looking for credit for the idea back then, it was just a suggestion. I don't think this guy has a leg to stand on but some people will try anything just to make a buck.

 

[Elwood Blues]

My Grandpappy sent Walt a letter and suggested he start something with a mouse.

 

[Lorix2]

If this is true, he's just deciding to sue now after 5 years?

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by Lorix2
If this is true, he's just deciding to sue now after 5 years?

Since he said he saw it on the Travel Channel, maybe he didn't have cable before????

 

[jipsy]

This doesn't surprise me, and Disney does accept unsolicited ideas. I know a man who invented a toothbrush with a small microchip that plays "It's a Small World". It plays the song for one minute, the amount of time you are supposed to brush your teeth. He sold the idea to Disney and they made them with all the Disney characters on it. It made him very rich. Several years ago, after Eisner took over, Disney came to him and said they were discontinuing the toothbrush, as it wasn't "high-tech" enough anymore. After they cancelled their contract, he went to Warner Brothers who now sells the toothbrush with all the Warner Bros. characters on them.

This man constantly sent Disney ideas - some they used and compensated him well for, some they didn't want, but he always made sure he had all his ducks in a row before he went to them, just so they couldn't steal his stuff. They are very rough with prototypes. He once sent them a prototype of a really nice chessboard with all the characters - they sent it back telling him it wasn't a good idea, but his prototype was all smashed and broken.

He also invented the first anti-fog swimming goggles. You can still buy them at Wal-Mart. The picture of the little boy wearing them on the package is his son. He's now married

 

[Beth76]

If he has the orininal letter from Disney, that could mean something. But, I think the guy is SOL for not patenting the idea first.

 

[poohtown]

well since Six Flags has been using the Fast Pass for years before Disney, maybe he stole the idea from them.

 

[TheBellhop]

Originally posted by TennVolTony
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Tennessee inventor is suing the Walt Disney Co. claiming the company stole his idea for the FastPass ride reservation system, according to Local 6 News.




Five years ago, Disney theme parks began using its popular FastPass system where visitors receive a ticket with a reservation time allowing them enter a ride at a separate entrance and skip long lines.

Robery Keyes said he came up with the FastPass idea nearly a decade before Disney came up with the concept. Keyes said he dreamed the ride system in 1990 after watching an elderly man collpase from heat exhaustion at Disney MGM Studios.

"I thought I had it," Keyes said. "This is the magic bullet to do away with lines."

Keyes said he mailed a description of his invention to Walt Disney World.

According to a federal lawsuit, Keyes received a letter from Disney saying his invention would not work and would result in "more guest inconvenience," according to Local 6 News.

Keyes said he was watching the Travel Channel when he noticed a show promoting Disney's FastPass.





"I heard in the background, they were describing their system, and I said, 'darn that sounds familiar,'" Keyes said.

Keyes logged on to the U.S. patent Web site and found Disney's claim to the invention.

"I looked at the patent, I read the abstract and description and said, 'my God, they took the whole thing'", Keyes said.

Keyes is suing hoping to get credit for the invention as well as financial compensation.

"Here Disney had told me that the system wouldn't work," Keyes said. "They told me it was an inconvenience to the guests. Then they turn around and patent it, so that others couldn't use the system, and they didn't even put my name as the inventor."

A Disney spokeswoman said the company is still evaluating the lawsuit.

Local 6 News reported that companies like Disney are often targets of intellectual property lawsuits.

Four years ago, a jury awarded two businessmen $240 million ruling that Disney stole the idea for their Wide World of Sports complex

Bullcrap, that guy did not think of that.

 

[Papa Deuce]

He didn't actually invent anything, right? He just had a thought that he shared with the folks at Disney. And then YEARS LATER fast pass is invented?

Seems like if he was smart he would have set up a meeting with legal representaion when he first had the idea.

He loses.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Originally posted by jipsy
This doesn't surprise me, and Disney does accept unsolicited ideas. I know a man who invented a toothbrush with a small microchip that plays "It's a Small World". It plays the song for one minute, the amount of time you are supposed to brush your teeth. He sold the idea to Disney and they made them with all the Disney characters on it. It made him very rich. Several years ago, after Eisner took over, Disney came to him and said they were discontinuing the toothbrush, as it wasn't "high-tech" enough anymore. After they cancelled their contract, he went to Warner Brothers who now sells the toothbrush with all the Warner Bros. characters on them.

This man constantly sent Disney ideas - some they used and compensated him well for, some they didn't want, but he always made sure he had all his ducks in a row before he went to them, just so they couldn't steal his stuff. They are very rough with prototypes. He once sent them a prototype of a really nice chessboard with all the characters - they sent it back telling him it wasn't a good idea, but his prototype was all smashed and broken.

He also invented the first anti-fog swimming goggles. You can still buy them at Wal-Mart. The picture of the little boy wearing them on the package is his son. He's now married

Going to them with a suggestion/idea is a little different than trying to partner with them to sell a product. I can see why they did the toothbrush.

 

[Mermaid02]

Did Al Gore invent that too??

 

[Lucky4me]

That's why if you ever come up with a great idea you should at least "poor man" patent it. You cannot really patent an idea, but you can at least write it down and send it to yourself by certified mail. Then if you take it to someone and they end up stealing it, you at least have some proof it was your idea.

I have one that I've had for 15 years. I poor man patented it, but have yet to take it to anyone. The reason is I want to start it up. I want to be the boss. I want to get stinkin rich.