Posted on 12/19/2018 9:35:45 AM PST by EdnaMode
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition accusing Disney of “colonialism and robbery” after it trademarked the Swahili phrase “hakuna matata”.
The expression means “no problem” in Swahili, which is spoken across east Africa and is a national language of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The petition, which calls on Disney to drop its trademark, precedes the release of the company’s motion capture remake of The Lion King next summer, which will be voiced by Beyoncé, Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
The phrase was popularised in 1982 by the Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, whose platinum-selling single Jambo Bwana (Hello, Mister) featured the phrase “hakuna matata”. It was later featured in the 1994 version of the Lion King, which spawned a hit musical and became one of Disney’s most valuable franchises. The film included the song Hakuna Matata, written by Elton John and Tim Rice.
Disney was granted a US trademark in 2003, protecting use of the phrase on clothing or footwear.
Shelton Mpala, who created the petition, accused the company of appropriation. “Disney can’t be allowed to trademark something that it didn’t invent,” he wrote. The petition has so far been signed by more than 52,000 people.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Hakuna Matata, SJW want to get their way.
It means more protests, for the rest of our days.
It's their problem filled, philosophy. Hakuna Matata.
Sounds like 50k people looking for a “settle outta court lottery payday” to me.
This may be too PC even for Disney.
They need to ignore such requests. Otherwise, they won’t have an amusement park left. Cultural appreciation and inclusion is a big part of their business model.
I sense a PR campaign by Disney
Trademark ‘law is a ass’.
Should never have been granted.
It was like when someone tried trademarking ‘Class of 2000’.
I thought hakuna matata was a recipe for boiled dog.
Are there any Grimm or Andersen relatives around to talk about Disney's originality?
Disney didn't invent the mouse, either.
I just ran down to the Patent Office and registered “Happy Holidays.” Cease and desist notices are going out tomorrow.
Ok, I’m trademarking After Holiday and going after all of those sales advertisers
Nicely done.
Still, they’ve got a point. Words or traditional / colloquial phrases shouldn’t be copyrightable. Just because they’re in a foreign language to English that shouldn’t make a difference.
I’m not upset about it, but, watermarking a everyday term isn’t really appropriate. After all if is an every day common term not an original thought.
Leftie lawyers are sitting around thinking of crazier ways to sue deep pocketed business who will roll over and write them fat checks.
Disney didn’t create Bambi, Winnie the Pooh or Mary Poppins, either............
Bwana means "Master."
Reminds me of the old tv show LOLA FALANA. One time she said “Lola Falana in Swahili means DEBBIE!” TV was FUNNY back then. She was beautiful and talented and FUN!
http://staticimg.stantondaily.com/wp-content/uploads/Lola-Falana-696x464.jpg
The left always eats its own.
Of course they are! Because once you get in bed with Progressive Marxists you can never get truly clean again. Get Woke, Go Broke! Social Justice Warriors destroy everything they touch.
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