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25
Jun

Deadmau5 Squashes Two Trademark Battles in One Week

Thu Jun 25th, 2015 by  Trademarks
 

Last year, Disney opposed electronic musician Deadmau5’s attempt to register his logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming confusing similarity to Disney’s iconic mouse ears.

Disney argued that because “both parties marks are comprised of a round head with prominent round mouse ears in silhouette,” consumer confusion was likely.

Clearly disagreeing, Deadmau5 tweeted, “Disney thinks you might confuse an established electronic musician/performer with a cartoon mouse. That’s how stupid they think you are.”

That question will not have to be decided, as earlier this week Deadmau5’s attorney confirmed that the parties had amicably resolved their dispute. While the terms of the agreement aren’t entirely clear, U.S. Trademark Office filings indicate that Deadmau5 has withdrawn his trademark application, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board dismissed Disney’s opposition earlier today.

Deadmau5 can count the Disney dispute as the second trademark matter he wrapped up this week. On June 17, he sent a cease-and-desist to the producers of Deadmouse: The Musical, a production about “a mouse who wants to be a house DJ but is discriminated against for being a mouse.” Similar to Disney’s argument against his mouse ears, the musician argued that the musical “capitalises on the goodwill and reputation of Deadmau5’s extremely popular marks.”

In response, the production updated its website to include this disclaimer:

Just so there’s no confusion Deadmouse the Musical is not written by Deadmau5 or endorsed by Deadmau5. It is a parody. It was written out of love of house music culture.

And just like that, two trademark battles knocked out in one week.