Disney Sued on ‘Incredibles’ Logo

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An Irvine production studio has sued to stop the upcoming release of Walt Disney Co.’s computer generated animated feature “The Incredibles,” alleging trademark infringement.


Kevin Kent, principal of Inspired Arts & Media LLC claims that Disney, several of its subsidiaries and co-producer Pixar Animation Studios are marketing a logo that is “virtually identical” to his firm’s lower case “I” in an oval, according to the suit.


“The Incredibles” is the story of a group of retired superheroes called back to action to save the world. The logo appears on superheroes’ uniforms and a telephone that summons the superheroes to action, as well as all the film’s ancillary marketing materials.


“He found out about it when people in the industry started writing him e-mails,” said Michael Shore, an attorney at Epport Richman & Robbins LLP representing Kent and Inspired Arts. “People thought he sold them his trademark. All these producers and directors were congratulating him on selling his property to Disney.”


The suit claims Disney executives copied the logo from events organized and produced by the New Media Council of the Producers Guild of America, where Kent has served on the board. Inspired Arts & Media, founded in 1994, has registered for a trademark on its logo, according to the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California.


Disney spokesman John Spelich said the claim was without merit. The film opens Nov. 5.

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