Multinational media corporation The Walt Disney Company has informed the US Trademark Office that it is investigating a trademark registration filed by Canadian EDM producer Deadmau5.
The Hollywood Reporter report that Deadmau5, real name Joel Zimmerman, applied for a mark consisting of a caricature of a black mouse head with white eyes and a white mouth in 2013, via trademark organisation Ronica Holdings Limited.
The registration Deadmau5 applied for would cover any trademarks used in electrical and scientific apparatus, vehicles (specifically BMX bikes), paper goods, leather goods, toys and sporting goods, staple foods, light beverages, and perhaps most importantly entertainment services.
Disney’s lawyers could potentially argue that Zimmerman’s Deadmau5 trademark, which bears some resemblance to Disney’s Mickey Mouse character, will confuse consumers as to the true source of goods and services which carry the logo.
The company has requested and has been granted 90 days to investigate the claim and file a notice of official opposition against the Deadmau5 logo. Check out a side-by-side comparison of the two illustrations below.
Deadmau5 played Ultra Music Festival in Miami recently, after fellow DJ Avicii was rushed to hospital. He then proceeded to troll both Avicii and Martin Garrix.
Deadmau5’s attempted registration:
Famous Disney character Mickey Mouse
