This past week, the heat got too hot... even for DISNEY, which is usually lock, stock and barrel loaded for litigation.
This time it was Seal Team Six (and the U.S. Navy) that threatened Disney to back off and Disney smartly did so. It seems that Disney filed several trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently to try to claim a stake in the Seal Team Six name. The U.S. Navy disagreed. On May 25, 2011, Disney Enterprises filed an Express Abandonment with the USPTO for its three trademark and service mark applications in Class #25 (apparel, footwear, headgear); Class #28 (toys and games); and Class #41 (entertainment and education services).
With their radar evading commando helicopters, Seal Team Six could have forced the point home, if necessary. Now there's an idea for a movie we would all like to see. :-)
The U.S. Navy is not finished, however, since there are a handful of other recently filed trademark applications filed by third parties for SEAL TEAM 6 for such goods as watches, wristwatches, clocks, commemorative coins, jewelry, toy action figures, etc. Class #14 seems to be the most popular class of attack as there are at least 3 separate applicants that have filed recently in this class for SEAL TEAM 6.
Curiously, these other applications that are still pending were filed in the middle of May 2011 after a certain notorious event in early May 2011 that made headlines around the world about a real life real NAVY SEAL TEAM 6 takedown of an international terrorist.
To read more about this recent trademark tiff with Disney, check out these linked stories:
1. Navy Fights Disney for 'Seal Team 6' Trademark
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/navy-fights-disney-seal-team-192310
2. Walt Disney Surrenders to Navy's SEAL Team 6
http://on.wsj.com/mRGiv7
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Respectfully submitted,
William Maguire, Esq.,
Los Angeles, CA
LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM E. MAGUIRE
Web: http://www.TrademarkEsq.com
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