Pirates of the Merchandising

So I was reading a link on Waxy Links about how Disney filed a very very long list of trademarks for Jack Sparrow (link) and the list doesn’t actually end, it just keeps going and going.

I’ve learned they’ve registered the trademark for Johnny Depp’s pirate character, Jack Sparrow, in a tsunami of categories, including bikinis and bolo ties and badminton sets, licorice and lemonade and leg warmers, bagels and bowling balls and BBQ mits!

You should read the list, it’s truely absurd, but I doubt that Disney is going to be making bolo ties or cloth doilies with Johnny Depp’s image on it. The more I thought about it the more it makes sense in my mind for Disney to register as many of these trademarks as they can, or else SOMEONE will release “JACK SPARROW AFTER SEX WIPES” or some equally absurd product cashing in on Disney’s success with the movie.

It is indeed going overboard to take the time to register all of these items, but unfortunately it’s the only weapon Disney has against bootleg merchandise that doesn’t really tie in to the the movie. It’s their property to make money on if they desire.

Of course that being said, I probably will never see any of these pirate movies. I do enjoy the ride though.

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