[skeeter]

I hope the SEALS are successful. There’s something perverse in what Disney is attempting. Haven’t they Disneyfied enough of society?

[FourPeas]

Given Disney’s fondness for stories with at least one dead parent, I’m sure the SEAL trademark will spawn lots of new storylines, none of which I plan to ever see.

[jazminerose]

Disgusting. Our SEALS go thru hell, quite literally, to EARN the right to call themselves Navy SEALS.

I’m all for free speech, but it is a disgrace to try to commercialize the work of our magnificent SEALS and the ultra amazing Team 6.

[NavyCanDo]

If the roles were reversed and the SEALS were using Mickey Mouse on their unit patches, Disney lawyers would be speeding to the nearest courthouse, to file a lawsuit.

[Joe 6-pack]

IMHO, this is a natural outgrowth of the Stolen Valor Act having been ruled un-Constitutional. Certainly, nobody at Disney is claiming to be a SEAL, but when the meaning of military awards and decorations is allowed to be cheapened, mocked and falsely claimed, it only stands to reason that they would be exploited for profit by those who have no real right to them. The courts said it was OK, and many, even here at FR, agreed with it.

[KrisKrinkle]

“If Disney decides they’re going to invade countries, then there might be an issue.”

Does Disneyland Paris count?

Don't blame Mickey Mouse for trying, Warzecha said.

I absolutely do. I think it is despicable on the part of Disney.

[MS from the OC]

Interesting ....

First, hasn’t Disney made two movies using the name Navy Seals. One with Charlie Shean and one aimed at kids. So they must already have some rights to the name.

Second, I’ve worked with the US Armed Forces before and getting licenses to use images (i.e. the Thunderbirds) is very easy and very inexpensive. Disney would be better off getting a license to use the name rather than trying to trademark it themselves.

[capt. norm]

During World War II Walt let the military use his characters without restriction (or lawsuit):

The Disney company has never been the same without him.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Ever since they bribed their way into getting Mickey’s copyright extended until the Second Coming, Disney has been quite full of itself and seems to think the entire world is Disney Intellectual Property.

Makes you want to pirate a copy of Pinocchio, just out of spite.

[moovova]

I’m not sure I’d want to piss off SEAL Team 6...

[Lancey Howard]

This story reminds me of an early Batman villain called, ‘The Toyman’.
He copyrighted the alphabet and nobody could use it without his permission.

[Little Ray]

Reminds of the time that TSR tried to trademark “Nazi” for its Indiana Jones RPG.
Although, in this case, the intentions were a little more deliberate and nefarious.