Deadmau5, Disney face off over 'mouse ears' logo

by Lauren O'Neil Posted: September 4, 2014 1:28 PM Last Updated: September 4, 2014 1:36 PM

Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Community

View the story "Deadmau5, Disney face off over 'mouse ears' logo " on StorifyDeadmau5, Disney face off over 'mouse ears' logo Storified by CBC News Community· Thu, Sep 04 2014 17:26:48

In what might be the most high-profile legal battle over giant mouse head the world has ever witnessed, Disney is reportedly trying to block Canadian DJ Deadmau5 from trademarking his own logo on the grounds that it too closely resembles their iconic Mickey Mouse silhouette.

That's right -- it's Mouse vs. mau5.

Disney taking legal action against Deadmau5 over his mouse head trademark. Raise your weapon, @deadmau5 ! We love ya. http://t.co/S7L8NI3LNREdm Family Istanbul

According to TMZ, Deadmau5 applied to have his logo -- a mouse head resembling the one he's been wearing during performances for more than 10 years -- trademarked through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in June of last year.

Disney submitted an official 171-page opposition to the trademark filing this month, claiming that granting Deadmau5 the trademark would damage its business both in the U.S., and around the world.

The electronic music producer (actually Joel Zimmerman, 33) spoke out about the trademark dispute on Twitter this week, making his intentions to fight the multi-billion-dollar corporation perfectly clear.

"Looks like Disney officially just filed in opposition of my trademark," he tweeted Tuesday. "Lawyer up, Mickey."

landed home to some interesting news: looks like Disney officially just filed in opposition of my trademark... lawyer up mickey.deadmau5And, true to his reputation for ranting on Twitter, he didn't stop there.Disney thinks you might confuse an established electronic musician / performer with a cartoon mouse. That's how stupid they think you are.deadmau5wishes upon star to become the thing i am today. becomes thing. gets stomped on. hahah wut? seems legit.deadmau5In response to another tweeter's allegation that Deadmau5 would soon need a new trademark, the artist replied "Sorry, I'm no little b*** who's going to fold under a money hungry corporation over some bulls***. You do your thing tho. k?"

Later he tweeted "I'm sorry Frozen f***ing tanked huge.... I really am. but c'mon."

oh, in other news.. im home! time to catch up with my cat for a minute and enjoy some timmies and ponder the finer points of trademark legaldeadmau5

Deadmau5's lawyer, Dina LaPolt, told Radar Online that the artist's logo -- which he began using in 2005 -- is already a registered trademark in 30 countries, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Australia and Japan.

"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 stated.

LaPolt, who was contacted by Disney Wednesday, believes that the company is trying to intimidate her client out of trademarking his logo.

"I've been in battles with Disney before," she told the Toronto Sun. "Most people don't ever stand up to them. Nine out of 10 don't, but if you do, it's about who's got more staying power."

Many online are rooting for the superstar DJ to win his case.

@deadmau5 Disney has no right to mess with you and will never win you got all the support of the fans! Please crush them!Andres Lopez-Cruz@deadmau5 if you ever go to trial with @Disney can you record it? We want to see how you crush them and their stupid argumentsManuel ChavezShowing my support for @deadmau5! I can't believe Disney is trying sue him. Ridiculous. http://t.co/almH362UvKMike ZiemerIn a mindboggling display of "We're five years behind the times," @Disney is suing @deadmau5. We... we can't even pretend this isn't stupid.Rock GeniusI hope Deadmau5 counter-sues for ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS. I hate Disney.Pete TonkinI support @deadmau5 all the way! Fly the Feck Disney!!!! http://t.co/DM6GOQZXIeDK@deadmau5 I just emailed Disney and told them they lost a customer. support@disneyonline.comJames CesiroLol @ Disney acting like they invented circles. I really hope @deadmau5 wins that lawsuit.Mike WagnerWhile others are team Disney.I'd love to see Disney win the lawsuit against @deadmau5 just to humble him a bityung trvnce owlI hope DeadMau5 loses his battle with Disney and is forced to remove that stupid lid he wears.Josh O'NanI love @deadmau5 fans. They help to prove @disney point. Btw reason Y this is happing because a trademark was filed! http://t.co/cqSAOAQFYrFlipNPGI wouldn't usually be so pro-corporate, but I sort of hope that Disney wins its lawsuit against Deadmau5 so the dude just disappears foreverTDGAhahaha, even Disney thinks Deadmau5 sucks. Just another reason to love Disney http://t.co/WG91lSOtYLLady RavenAnd others still are simply poking fun at the perceived absurdity of the situation.So Disney have decided to sue @deadmau5 in the US because of his mouse ears. Up next: Disney to sue real mice.Rob ForbesI find it HILARIOUS that @Disney are trying to sue @deadmau5. Who next they going to sue? Science? http://t.co/ILIAj3WKGMR o b e n - NYLPmy future kids gonna be like "daddy why cant we go to disney world" ill be like "cause disney sued daddy's favorite dj deadmau5 honey"Jason BrownHasn't Disney already acknowledged Deadmau5 before? http://t.co/R968axs6AmCraig TreichelDisney is in a legal battle wit Deadmau5 about that stupid head he wears. Local news pronounced it Dead Maw 5. That was just the best.Tony NortonWhat do you think of the battle? Should Disney be able to block Deadmau5's trademark filing? Weigh in below.

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