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Walt Disney sues Hong Kong company for selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery, ‘trying to confuse consumers'
Walt Disney sues Hong Kong company for selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery, ‘trying to confuse consumers'

Mint

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Mint

Walt Disney sues Hong Kong company for selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery, ‘trying to confuse consumers'

International media and entertainment giant Walt Disney has sued Hong Kong-based jewellery company Red Earth Group for selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery, reported news agency Associated Press. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Disney alleged that the marketing and branding of the rings, necklaces and earrings in Red Earth Group brand Satéur's 'Mickey 1928 Collection' violate its trademark rights and that the Hong Kong company is deliberately trying to fool customers into thinking the pieces are official Disney merchandise. Satéur 'intends to present Mickey Mouse as its own brand identifier for its jewelry merchandise and seeks to trade on the recognizability of the Mickey Mouse trademarks and consumers' affinity for Disney and its iconic ambassador Mickey Mouse,' the suit alleged. Disney's legal team has reportedly accused Red Earth Group of "trying to confuse consumers" by using Mickey Mouse imagery in a way that signals a collaboration or licensing arrangement with Disney. It is noteworthy that the earliest version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain last year after Disney's copyright expired, though the company still holds trademark rights to the character. Lawyers for Disney argue in the suit that Red Earth's online marketing efforts 'extensively trade on the Mickey Mouse trademarks and the Disney brand' with language that includes describing the jewellery as great for 'Disney enthusiasts'. The earliest depiction of Mickey Mouse, who first appeared publicly in the film short 'Steamboat Willie' in 1928, are now in the US public domain. The widely publicised moment was considered a landmark in iconography going public, the AP report said. The lawsuit further alleged that Red Earth and Satéur are trying to use that status as a 'ruse' to suggest the Mickey Mouse jewellery is legal, by dubbing it the 'Mickey 1928 Collection'. 'Disney remains committed to guarding against unlawful trademark infringement and protecting consumers from confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey Mouse and our other iconic characters,' Disney said in a statement Wednesday. The US company is seeking an injunction against Red Earth selling the jewellery or trading on Disney's trademark in any other way.

Disney sues Hong Kong jewellery shop over Mickey Mouse trademark infringement claims
Disney sues Hong Kong jewellery shop over Mickey Mouse trademark infringement claims

South China Morning Post

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • South China Morning Post

Disney sues Hong Kong jewellery shop over Mickey Mouse trademark infringement claims

The Walt Disney Company has taken a Hong Kong online jewellery shop to court for alleged trademark infringement, accusing the store of misleading consumers into believing that its Mickey Mouse-themed products were sold under an authorised partnership. The lawsuit, filed by the company's subsidiary Disney Enterprises, Inc. on Wednesday in a district court in California, targets Hong Kong-based Red Earth Group Limited, which operates an online jewellery brand, Sateur. The shop has an office in Wong Chuk Hang, located in Hong Kong's Southern district. 'Disney remains committed to guarding against unlawful trademark infringement and protecting consumers from confusion caused by unauthorised uses of Mickey Mouse and our other iconic characters,' a Disney spokesperson told the Post in a statement on Thursday. Sateur, which has been featured in magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan, launched its 'Mickey 1928 Collection' in January 2024, with items ranging from about US$135 to US$300. On its website and Instagram posts, the brand describes the collection as a way for 'Disney enthusiasts' to 'own a dazzling piece of history that blends the timeless charm of Mickey Mouse with luxury you can afford'.

Disney sues company it claims is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery
Disney sues company it claims is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery

The Independent

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Independent

Disney sues company it claims is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewellery

The Walt Disney Co. has initiated legal proceedings against a Hong Kong jewellery company, accusing it of selling unauthorised Mickey Mouse merchandise. The entertainment giant filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday against the Red Earth Group, which operates online under the brand Satéur. Disney alleges that the rings, necklaces, and earrings within Satéur's 'Mickey 1928 Collection' infringe upon its trademark rights. The company further claims that Red Earth Group is intentionally misleading consumers into believing the items are official Disney products. Satéur, the suit alleges, 'intends to present Mickey Mouse as its own brand identifier for its jewelry merchandise and "seeks to trade on the recognizability of the Mickey Mouse trademarks and consumers' affinity for Disney and its iconic ambassador Mickey Mouse.' A message seeking comment from representatives of the Red Earth Group was not immediately answered. The lawsuit is indicative of Disney's dogged efforts to protect its intellectual property from unauthorized appropriation. Although the earliest version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain last year after Disney's copyright expired, the company still holds trademark rights to the character. Lawyers for Disney argue in the suit that Red Earth's online marketing efforts 'extensively trade on the Mickey Mouse trademarks and the Disney brand' with language that includes describing the jewelry as great for 'Disney enthusiasts.' Such tactics indicate Red Earth was 'intentionally trying to confuse consumers,' the lawsuit says. The impression created, it says, "suggests, at a minimum, a partnership or collaboration with Disney.' The earliest depiction of Mickey Mouse, who first appeared publicly in the film short 'Steamboat Willie' in 1928, are now in the U.S. public domain. The widely publicized moment was considered a landmark in iconography going public. The lawsuit alleges that Red Earth and Satéur are trying to use that status as a 'ruse' to suggest the jewelry is legal, by dubbing it the 'Mickey 1928 Collection' and saying it is being sold in tribute to the mouse's first appearance. The centerpiece of the collection, the suit says, is a piece of jewelry marketed as the "Satéur Mickey 1928 Classique Ring,' which has a Steamboat Willie charm sitting on the band holding a synthetic stone. But there is an essential difference between copyright — which protects works of art — and trademark — which protects a company's brand. Even if a character is in the public domain, it cannot be used on merchandise in a way that suggests it is from the company with the trademark, as Disney alleges Red Earth is doing. 'Disney remains committed to guarding against unlawful trademark infringement and protecting consumers from confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey Mouse and our other iconic characters,' Disney said in a statement Wednesday. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against Red Earth selling the jewelry or trading on Disney's trademark in any other way, along with monetary damages to be determined later.

Disney Sues Hong Kong-Based Jewellery Brand Over Mickey Mouse Trademark
Disney Sues Hong Kong-Based Jewellery Brand Over Mickey Mouse Trademark

NDTV

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • NDTV

Disney Sues Hong Kong-Based Jewellery Brand Over Mickey Mouse Trademark

Disney has sued Red Earth Group from Hong Kong accusing it of a trademark infringement for using Mickey Mouse imagery in its jewellery offerings. The entertainment company seeks a court injunction and damages from Red Earth Group. This lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Los Angeles federal court which alleges the company's "Mickey 1928 Collection" that is marketed under the brand Satur unlawfully uses Disney's iconic Mickey Mouse image. Disney has claimed that the jewellery line which includes rings, necklaces, earrings and more misleads and suggests an official affiliation with entertainment mogul. As per Associated Press, Disney's legal team has accused Red Earth Group of "trying to confuse consumers" by using Mickey Mouse imagery in a way that signals a collaboration or licencing arrangement with Disney. What's more, even the promotional materials and product descriptions are said to be designed to appeal directly to Disney fans. Although the earliest version of Mickey Mouse from the 1928 short Steamboat Willie entered the United States public domain last year because of copyright expiry, Disney asserts that it still holds trademark rights over the character. Disney argues that the jewellery company is taking advantage of its public domain status to support the unauthorised sale of items like the "Satur Mickey 1928 Classique Ring," which is an ornament inspired by Steamboat Willie. According to a formal release issued by Associated Press, Disney has asserted that its dedication to protect its intellectual property stating, "Disney is committed to protecting against unauthorised trademark infringement and preventing consumers from being confused by unauthorised uses of Mickey Mouse and our other beloved characters."

Disney sues Hong Kong company it says is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewelry
Disney sues Hong Kong company it says is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewelry

CTV News

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • CTV News

Disney sues Hong Kong company it says is selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewelry

LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday sued a Hong Kong jewelry company it accuses of selling illegal Mickey Mouse jewelry. The international media and entertainment conglomerate filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles against the Red Earth Group, which sells jewelry online under the name Satéur. Disney says the marketing and branding of the rings, necklaces and earrings in Satéur's 'Mickey 1928 Collection' violate its trademark rights and that the Hong Kong company is deliberately trying to fool customers into thinking the pieces are official Disney merchandise. Satéur, the suit alleges, 'intends to present Mickey Mouse as its own brand identifier' for its jewelry merchandise and 'seeks to trade on the recognizability of the Mickey Mouse trademarks and consumers' affinity for Disney and its iconic ambassador Mickey Mouse.' A message seeking comment from representatives of the Red Earth Group was not immediately answered. The lawsuit is indicative of Disney's dogged efforts to protect its intellectual property from unauthorized appropriation. Although the earliest version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain last year after Disney's copyright expired, the company still holds trademark rights to the character. Lawyers for Disney argue in the suit that Red Earth's online marketing efforts 'extensively trade on the Mickey Mouse trademarks and the Disney brand' with language that includes describing the jewelry as great for 'Disney enthusiasts.' Such tactics indicate Red Earth was 'intentionally trying to confuse consumers,' the lawsuit says. The impression created, it says, 'suggests, at a minimum, a partnership or collaboration with Disney.' The earliest depiction of Mickey Mouse, who first appeared publicly in the film short 'Steamboat Willie' in 1928, are now in the U.S. public domain. The widely publicized moment was considered a landmark in iconography going public. The lawsuit alleges that Red Earth and Satéur are trying to use that status as a 'ruse' to suggest the jewelry is legal, by dubbing it the 'Mickey 1928 Collection' and saying it is being sold in tribute to the mouse's first appearance. Even if a character is in the public domain, it cannot be used on merchandise in a way that suggests it is from the company with the trademark, as Disney alleges Red Earth is doing. 'Disney remains committed to guarding against unlawful trademark infringement and protecting consumers from confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey Mouse and our other iconic characters,' Disney said in a statement Wednesday. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against Red Earth selling the jewelry or trading on Disney's trademark in any other way, along with monetary damages to be determined later. Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press

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