Disney Trademarks Seal Team 6 Two Days After SEAL Team 6 Kills Bin Laden

Trademark

from the you-have-to-be-kidding-me dept

Mon, May 16th 2011 7:46am — Mike Masnick

Disney has a reputation of taking material from elsewhere and making it its own, but this is quite bizarre. Apparently two days after the Navy SEALs Team 6 was responsible for killing Osama bin Laden, Disney applied for a trademark on Seal Team 6 to cover clothing, toys, games, video games, and entertainment and education services, among a few other areas as well. Now, it is true that Disney has been working on a movie about seals, but the timing still seems pretty suspicious. I wonder if the Navy SEALs themselves will file a protest. I would imagine that you generally don't want to be on the other side of a dispute with Navy SEALs. But isn't trademark law great? It lets you claim "ownership" over a term closely related to big national events despite having nothing to do with them whatsoever. Still, Disney's move here isn't even quite as bad as gun maker Beretta, who not only patted itself on the back for the killing of bin Laden, it apparently missed out on the fact that the SEALs apparently use Sig Sauers instead of Berettas.

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Filed Under: seal team six, trademark
Companies: disney

49 Comments

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Dark Helmet (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 7:53am

Did you not get the memo?
Announcing Disney's latest animated feature: Alladin 2 - The Reckoning.

We'll be taken on a musical romp through Alladin's rule over Pakistan's tribal reasons until Genie gives him up to Seal Team 6 and Buzz Lightyear puts a bullet in his face.

....Rated G.

And this one really WILL have subliminal messages placed in the background, but it won't be telling good teenagers to take their clothes off. Rather, it'll be an oddly toned reading of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Disney is weird....
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:01am
  
  Re: Did you not get the memo?
  *regions....
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- The eejit (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:04am
  
  Re: Did you not get the memo?
  Maybe they need it for Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Osama's Revenge.
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  - Danny, 16 May 2011 @ 8:28am
    
    Re: Re: Did you not get the memo?
    Well it is possible to ressurect people in the Pirates of the Caribbean fiction...
    
    Of course there will plenty of jokes over the fact that Osama was a desert based terriorst but now has to come to terms with being a water based terrorist.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 9:02am
  
  Re: Did you not get the memo?
  They already made two sequels to the Aladdin movie.
  
  1994 - The Return of Jafar
  1996 - Aladdin and the King of Thieves
  
  None of them are "Aladdin 2" in name, though.
  
  /weird aside
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  - The eejit (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 11:19am
    
    Re: Re: Did you not get the memo?
    Technically, in the EU, The Return of Jafar had the "Aladdin 2: ~" prefix.
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 9:09am
  
  Re: Did you not get the memo?
  Umm... the Elders of Zion thing would probably be enough to get Mr. Disney to rise from his grave like a zombie and kill everyone.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 8:01am

Well, there goes Counter-Strike.
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Call me Al, 16 May 2011 @ 8:02am

New Disney Movie
I'm really looking forward to this new Disney movie. The events in Pakistan reproduced in stunning 3D animation... with actual seals as Seals Team 6. Though sadly I'd expect the musical numbers to be a little out of tune.
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That Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 8:09am

ICE is just a division of Disney, why not the Seals as well?
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- Spaceboy (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 9:21am
  
  Re:
  Maybe SEAL Team 6 will become the IP Enforcement arm of Disney.
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John Thompson, 16 May 2011 @ 8:19am

SEAL Team Six
Wonder if the author of the book "SEAL Team Six" Howard E. Wasdin can sue Disney. His book was published May 2011.
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- Rikuo (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:45am
  
  Re: SEAL Team Six
  Not really. Trademarks are only to be used in commerce. If Disney were to release a book called Seals Team 6, then yes, they'd have a problem, but as it stands, they'll be free to produce other material.
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  - John Doe, 16 May 2011 @ 1:31pm
    
    Re: Re: SEAL Team Six
    You don't seem to have a good grasp of trademark law. A trademark gives you the right for use in all markets for all times. Just ask Monster Cable, they will tell you.
    
    /sarcasm
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- Vincent Clement (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 12:33pm
  
  Re: SEAL Team Six
  Disney will probably sue the author. Nothing must get in the way of the Disney juggernaut.
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Comboman (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:20am

From the makers of G-Force.....
From the studio that brought you "G-Force" and "Air Bud 12: Death from Above" comes...

_Seal Team 6_

They were just six happy-go-lucky sea lions with a talent for mischief, but when their country needed them, they answered the call.

featuring the voices of
Kiefer Sutherland as Sgt. Barky
Samuel L Jackson as Lt. Snappy
Angelina Jolie as Lt. Splashy
Ernest Borgnine as Lt. Grumpy
and Jack Black as Private Slappy

Coming to theaters Christmas 2011.
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:30am
  
  Re: From the makers of G-Force.....
  I prefer to have Sam Jackson as the SEALs dolphin water-mines specialist.
  
  "Sonar, motha fucka, do you SPEAK it!!???"
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- Danny, 16 May 2011 @ 8:49am
  
  Re: From the makers of G-Force.....
  Make CCH Pounder, Nicholas Cage, Helen Mirren, and Vin Disel the villains and I'll watch it.
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  - cc (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:57am
    
    Re: Re: From the makers of G-Force.....
    Only if Helen Mirren plays Osama.
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    - Dark Helmet (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:59am
      
      Re: Re: Re: From the makers of G-Force.....
      No way. He'd be an acting rookie, but the only person in the world who should play OBL is Scottie Pippen....
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      - Greg G (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 9:23am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: From the makers of G-Force.....
        hahaha agreed@Scottie Pippen
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buck lateral (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:27am

I wonder how long it will take for you clowns to download it for free?
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- Berenerd (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 8:35am
  
  Re:
  I already have it before the editing....
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- That Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 8:36am
  
  Re:
  that depends on the speed offered by the individual providers and any limitations on monthly bandwidth.
  
  But since your talking about a nonexistent film, poof already done. Imagination... its awesome... you should get some :)
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- Rikuo (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 9:18am
  
  Re:
  Clowns? That's odd, I'm not wearing a clown costume nor have I ever been a clown, except maybe back when I was in school...
  As for downloading it for free, who knows? Maybe Disney will release it deliberately for free, as a sort of documentary (well, one can always hope, right?)
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- Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 9:42am
  
  Re:
  I already have a copy.
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- Jay (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 10:51am
  
  Re:
  In the same amount of time that it takes to have Disney sue for drawing a seal with a huge 6 on it.
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- The eejit (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 11:21am
  
  Re:
  I made it. Unfortunately, it's stored on Sony's old login servers...
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- CK (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 11:28am
  
  Re:
  Do a google image search and the first 357 frames are already up, it's a bitch downloading frame by frame, but I should have it all by in just a few minutes.
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  - That Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 12:12pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Thats what you get for having to have it in High Def...
    
    bonus points for anyone who gets the reference.
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PuperScuper, 16 May 2011 @ 9:21am

Hmm
I understand private entities using the name, but how can one so claim control over a government entity?

So, am I allowed to:
1) trademark DHS and ICE "for use in file-sharing sites"?
2) use that trademark to take down the pages that ICE puts up when taking down a 'baaaad' music review blog?
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- nnuuunnnyyyaa, 16 May 2011 @ 9:47am
  
  Re: Hmm
  There is no seal team six.
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DogBreath, 16 May 2011 @ 9:54am

Cue the suing of the Star Trek fansite listed in this news story link, by Disney for "Trademark Infringement", in 3...2...1
http://trekmovie.com/2011/05/06/geman-tv-fail-star-treks-maquis-not-involved-in-bin-laden-mission/

I'm sure the Disney lawyers motto of: "Sue First, Change The Law If You Don't Win In Court", will apply in this case.
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NullOp, 16 May 2011 @ 10:01am

Disney
Disney has found a way to appropriate the SEAL Team 6 logo for clothing and toys? This is the most openly greedy move I have seen in years! No doubt Disney will claim that this is a way to promote our Armed Forces, etc. But, in reality, it's a way to line Disney's pockets! Period, case closed! Oh, and by-the-way Disney, your actions trivialize all the SEAL teams and all the other elite forces in our military!

This is one of those "Day before yesterday" cases where, essentially, no one knew SEAL 6 from God's house cat yesterday. And now that they have done something which has become front page news everyone wants to identify with them. In essence, steal their "glory".

If Disney gets their way I can visualize the masses wearing SEAL Team 6 clothing. The problem is, they didn't earn the right to do so! So many people think by wearing the brand it entitles them to the respect. Well, it doesn't! Some things in life MUST be earned. Period! I, personally, would like to wear RANGER or SPECIAL FORCES gear. I tried to enlist in '68 to go into SF. Problem is, I was 4F. So, I DON'T wear anything associated with military service. Not even a simple ARMY t-shirt because I didn't earn it!

I'll be writing my representatives about this issue and I hope it is only a rumor. God knows the net has enough of those!
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- Rikuo (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 3:37pm
  
  Re: Disney
  The scary thing about your argument is that it can also be said by Disney.
  "Want to get respect? You can only get it from wearing Seal Team 6 Clothing, this new brand from Disney! Who deserves the right to wear it? Why, only those who pay us!"
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- neons angel, 17 May 2011 @ 12:51am
  
  Re: Disney
  I think its fine. Disney has done great things for the armed forces in the past. Just having a trademark for one thing isnt using it. Two - nullop are you really throwing a fit over the army shirts? Where some would agree many of us dont care. Its a sign of support. The kids in my family all have acu uniforms they play in. Have for years. Relax a little.
  
  Disney does things for adults. It isnt just kids and they do documentries. So long as they are respectful i see no issue.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 10:18am

The is nothing illegal about what Disney is doing, and it does not point to a flaw in trademark law.

Nevertheless, I find it disgusting for any person or company to try and turn a quick buck on the backs of what these men did in the service of our country. They will forever remain anonymous and go about their daily lives as members of the Navy. No Disney parades for them. Just the quiet satisfaction of knowing they did something important.
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- harbingerofdoom (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 10:58am
  
  Re:
  its disney... this surprises you.....how exactly?
  
  to be honest, id be more surprised if they DIDNT try to exploit this financially.
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- Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 16 May 2011 @ 2:38pm
  
  Re: The is nothing illegal about what Disney is doing, and it does not point to a flaw in trademark law. Nevertheless ...
  ... there is, and it does.
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- anymouse (profile), 17 May 2011 @ 1:19pm
  
  Re:
  Trademarking, copyrighting, and patenting (as nuclear stockpiles against future litigation):
  
  Seal Team 1-5 & 7 thru infinity
  Special Forces Team 1 thru infinity
  Green Beret Team 1 thru infinity
  Medic Team 1 thru infinity
  Army Team 1 thru infinity
  Navy Team 1 thru infinity
  Air Force Team 1 thru infinity
  Marine Team 1 thru infinity
  JAFO
  
  Sure it doesn't make much sense right now.... but just wait until one of them does 'something big' I'll be cashing in on licensing, or litigating the pants off someone....
  
  Is this really what things are coming to?
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barrywolk (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 10:28am

Last year I trademarked the number '6', so this entire thread is MOOT!
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- Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 16 May 2011 @ 2:41pm
  
  Re: Last year I trademarked the number '6' ...
  Too late:
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_6:_There_Is_No_Rule_6
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rul e_6
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_Six_%28The_Prisoner%29
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OC, 16 May 2011 @ 10:40am

As a side effect on IP law, on future Seal Team 6 missions all team members will be required to be dressed as Donald Duck, Goofy or Micky Mouse.
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DogBreath, 16 May 2011 @ 10:44am

Timing is everything...
If only they had taken out Osama back in 2009... then Disney could have named the lamp they were selling, "Seal Team Six", and the Luxo lamp trademark lawsuit would never have happened because everyone knows Disney respects others legal rights (as long as it doesn't interfere with Disney's profits).

Disney Sued For Selling The Pixar Lamp... And The Lawsuit Makes Sense
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090911/0410026165.shtml
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Lurking Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 11:22am

More Disney trademark violations here:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090911/0410026165.shtml#c501
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Anonymous Coward, 16 May 2011 @ 3:14pm

time to add Disney to the boycott list.

very shady for a company that is supposed to stand for family and children.

PROTEST!
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btr1701 (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 7:37pm

Paramount
Kinda reminds me of when Paramount sued the US Navy years ago because they were selling caps and t-shirts with "USS Enterprise" on them. Paramount didn't like the Navy competing with their Star Trek products.

If I recall correctly Paramount had its ass soundly kicked in court over that and was told the Navy's Enterprise pre-dated their spaceship version by a couple hundred years and they should basically just learn to deal with it.
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Ray Trygstad (profile), 16 May 2011 @ 9:41pm

A common-law trademark already exists...
While the U.S. government cannot copyright material they produce, they certainly can hold trademarks. I think the U.S. Navy would have a very strong case to argue that they already hold a common-law trademark on SEAL Team Six.
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FarmerBob (profile), 17 May 2011 @ 2:20am

Disney is one of three looking to TM. And it sounds like they were not the first to file.
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