Disney Takes on Deadmau5 in Legal Battle Over Mouse Trademark

Disney is locked in a legal battle with electronic musician Deadmau5, claiming the electronic music producer's signature mouse headgear is too similar to the company's corporate logo to trademark.

For the last 10 years, Deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Zimmerman, has worn a giant mouse-eared helmet during his electronic performances. According to his lawyer, Dina LaPolt, he began using a similar mouse-shaped logo on his merchandise and album art in 2005. Disney kept quiet on the issue until the Canadian DJ attempted to register the emblem with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in April 2014. The media giant then blocked the DJ from patenting the image, buying itself 90 days to decide whether it would take official action. On Tuesday, Disney filed a 171-page document seeking to prevent Deadmau5 from trademarking the mouse-eared logo, claiming it will hurt the company's business in the U.S. and abroad. The logo is already trademarked in 30 countries, including Italy, Japan, Germany and the U.K. The music artist plans to battle the corporation in court, his lawyer said in a statement. "Given that the mau5head, and other identifying Deadmau5 trademarks, have been used in the U.S. and around the world for almost a decade, we wonder why Disney is only now coming after Deadmau5," she said. "Our client will not be bullied by Disney and is prepared to fight to protect his rights to his property." Based on his Twitter feed, Deadmau5 doesn't appear to be backing down any time soon. Source: Mashable