Using Disney name to make $ for Non-profit

[disneychrisk]

Late last week, a co-worker of mine received an invitation from a 501 (c) 3 Non - Profit organization that's holding a Disney-themed party where people will go dressed as Disney characters and the hall will probably be decorated to the hilt in Disney decor. Those in attendance will donate possibliy thousands of dollars to the organization at the Disney-Themed party!! This non-profit has used different themes before as a way of luring people to give more and more money. Since everyone on earth likes Disney, I can just imagine what will be raised at this event!

My question, however, is can a non-profit arbitrarily use the Disney brand at one of its own fundraisers?? My hunch is that permission would have to be granted from Disney, I guess. Would Disney actually do this?? I could imagine how many other non-profits would like to use the Disney name to raise money for themselves. Heck, if this is okay with Disney, I don't blame them for using their name (but I'm so thinking this is unlikely).

Which branch of Disney would they need to check with to see it this is okay to do?

My co-worker, by the way, said that he's not going to the party but asked me if knew if this was something the organization could do or not. Of course, I didn't know and decided to post here for any insight from any of you!

Thanks!

 

[In a hurry]

Which branch of Disney would they need to check with to see it this is okay to do?

narc. What do you care? It is between the agency and Disney.

 

[Magic Mom]

narc. What do you care? It is between the agency and Disney.

I think she was just curious as to how an organization would contact Disney to ask permission, not that she wanted the info to call and tattle on them.

 

[In a hurry]

I think she was just curious as to how an organization would contact Disney to ask permission, not that she wanted the info to call and tattle on them.

Maybe you are right. If so I apologize. If not, then I stick by my first post.

 

[marybet]

I would think anyone could hold a Disney themed party, I'm sure there are a lot kids birthday parties that have a Disney theme. There are many items on sale that could be used for such a party.

Unless they are implying in some way that the donations will go to Disney or that Disney is sponsoring the event I don't think there would be a problem.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I would think anyone could hold a Disney themed party, I'm sure there are a lot kids birthday parties that have a Disney theme. There are many items on sale that could be used for such a party.

Unless they are implying in some way that the donations will go to Disney or that Disney is sponsoring the event I don't think there would be a problem.

What she said.

 

[Green Tea]

I would think anyone could hold a Disney themed party, I'm sure there are a lot kids birthday parties that have a Disney theme. There are many items on sale that could be used for such a party.

Unless they are implying in some way that the donations will go to Disney or that Disney is sponsoring the event I don't think there would be a problem.

That what I think. DIsney made their money money of the sale of all the decorations. Unless this agency is making Disney items and reselling them as Disney items, it isn't a problem.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

narc. What do you care? It is between the agency and Disney.

For some reason, this post makes me laugh Thanks

 

[I'm The Candyman!]

There are 2 answers to this.

1. The Disney name is copyrighted. Therefore, using it in the name of the fundraiser would infringe on that copyright. The same thing applies to the use of the logo or the character's names and likeness. If there is any implication that this is a Disney-sanctioned event, there could be trouble.

2. Companies and people do this all the time. Company parties, birthday parties, you name it. You can purchase Disney decorations anywhere for a party. But the bigger you go, the more at risk you become with regards to copyright and/or trademark infringement.

If the non-profit decides to advertise their fundraiser and use Disney in the name, they very well could hear from Disney. Last year a church in the mid-west tried to do the same thing with a "Superbowl Party". They were going to raise money by allowing people to make a donation to watch the game on a big screen. The NFL owns the name "Superbowl" and said no. If the church went ahead with their plans, they could have been sued.

I would suggest a name like "Magic Memories", "Night Of A Thousand Dreams", or "Enchanted Evening" and then feature a Disney decor, etc.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

There are 2 answers to this.

1. The Disney name is copyrighted. Therefore, using it in the name of the fundraiser would infringe on that copyright. The same thing applies to the use of the logo or the character's names and likeness. If there is any implication that this is a Disney-sanctioned event, there could be trouble.

2. Companies and people do this all the time. Company parties, birthday parties, you name it. You can purchase Disney decorations anywhere for a party. But the bigger you go, the more at risk you become with regards to copyright and/or trademark infringement.

If the non-profit decides to advertise their fundraiser and use Disney in the name, they very well could hear from Disney. Last year a church in the mid-west tried to do the same thing with a "Superbowl Party". They were going to raise money by allowing people to make a donation to watch the game on a big screen. The NFL owns the name "Superbowl" and said no. If the church went ahead with their plans, they could have been sued.

I would suggest a name like "Magic Memories", "Night Of A Thousand Dreams", or "Enchanted Evening" and then feature a Disney decor, etc.

While I see where you're going with the Superbowl analogy - I don't think its apples to apples.

The church wanted to charge people to watch the game - something the league discourages without you buying a viewing license. You can't use the name "Superbowl" in anything that will generate money, that's why all the electronic stores refer to it as the "big game" cuz they don't want to pay.

I truly don't see a problem with the event that OP is suggesting, as long as its not "billed" as a Disney event but rather as a Disney Themed Event. Big difference.

 

[I'm The Candyman!]

While I see where you're going with the Superbowl analogy - I don't think its apples to apples.

The church wanted to charge people to watch the game - something the league discourages without you buying a viewing license. You can't use the name "Superbowl" in anything that will generate money, that's why all the electronic stores refer to it as the "big game" cuz they don't want to pay.

I truly don't see a problem with the event that OP is suggesting, as long as its not "billed" as a Disney event but rather as a Disney Themed Event. Big difference.

So in other words, it is apples to apples. I'm glad you agree with me.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I never said that I wasn't agreeing with you, just that your analogy really doesn't fit.

 

[NotUrsula]

Oh, I would *definitely* ask permission, especially if this event is likely to get any media exposure. Disney's trademark attorneys are very serious people who get incredibly touchy about unauthorized use of trademarked images.

 

[In a hurry]

For some reason, this post makes me laugh Thanks

You are welcome.

I just really think that some people need to learn to mind their own business. I'm not suggesting walking past a rape, but this is just some group out to have a fun party, and raise some money in an era of people NOT giving.

Heck, I'd go to the party...and take friends. Maybe it would be raided!

 

[sk8ingmom]

I'm a non-profit manager & professional fundraiser.
Disney party would be a no-go, especially if they are using the Disney name. Too risky. Disney may not notice a silent auction (or whatever) in small town America and raise a fuss, but they might.

The only possible exception I can think of is if the organization in question is Make a Wish. MAW is Disney's only real corporate non-profit relationship, so maybe they already have persmission to use the name.

Something else to think about - non-profit corporate sponsorship is big business (billions a year). Both sides benefit - the non-profit and the corporation. I wouldn't let my organization "give away" an implied relationship with any company, including Disney, without a sponsorship agreement and cash (or product) in hand.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I did a fundraiser centered on a WDW Chef a few years back. WDW was well aware of our event (as they supplied the chef) and did not limit our use of the association in any way. I think they provided us with logos and trademarks to use in our publication and as long as we included it we were ok with them. We raised over $100,000 but it wasn't all because of Disney, we typically pulled in around $80,000 annually and it was a good year for Oil. I loved working with Disney and in particular the Chef (his name is John State, sadly, he no longer works at WDW but he was executive chef at California Grill a few years back.) WDW has a PR department that handled the logos for us, I contacted them through Chef State. Fundraisers are professional people and most likely they've taken care of getting permission for this event. As a guest, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Buckalew11]

Some group here had a party like this back in the spring. They had princesses and the whole nine yards. It was like a character meal. I was mad cause someone else played Cinderella.

 

[Amlee]

While this isn't non-profit. About 20 years ago, a video store had an artist hand paint Disney characters and other cartoon logo's on the wall of their children video section. Amazing paintings really. Disney's lawyers walked in and gave them 24 hours to paint over them or they would be sued.

As a TA I have to submit any Disney logo for an ad or advertisement for approval before I can use it.

 

[disneychrisk]

I think she was just curious as to how an organization would contact Disney to ask permission, not that she wanted the info to call and tattle on them.

Thanks, Magic Mom. No, I'm not a narc (Oh, and btw, I'm not a "she" either - lol)- I was solely interested in just learning about this. It was something that I never contemplated before and something that one of my co-workers came to me specifically (maybe because I'm a Disney fan????) Well, for some reason it simply struck my curiosity.

Naturally, I turned to this board because I figured that I would get useful advice or insight (thanks again, Magic Mom) about this topic- as is my usual experience- from the people who cared to respond -- well, from MOST everyone who cared to respond.

Thanks!

 

[Magic Mom]

Thanks, Magic Mom. No, I'm not a narc (Oh, and btw, I'm not a "she" either - lol)-

ooops sorry