Santiago, Chile's Star Wash is being sued by Disney for its use of the Star Wars brand. It's been a noteworthy year for Disney and copyright law, as the iconic Mickey Mouse character, Steamboat Willie, has entered the public domain.
Disney frequently deals with copyright issues, often making headlines for pursuing individuals and companies that use its characters. Now, Disney is targeting a business that is utilizing the Star Wars license, but this business is not your typical target.
Disney sues Chilean car wash Star Wash over Star Wars copyright
Located in Santiago, Chile, Star Wash is a unique car wash facility tailored to cater to Star Wars enthusiasts. However, according to a report by Reuters, owner Matias Jara is facing a lawsuit from Walt Disney for alleged unauthorized use of the Star Wars copyright.
Jara was in the process of registering the patent for the Star Wash brand when he was hit with the lawsuit.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Star Wash (@starwashchile)
The car wash embraces its use of Star Wars imagery in its branding and marketing without hesitation. The Star Wash sign resembles the iconic Star Wars logo, and employees are seen dressed as popular characters like Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Kylo Ren, providing car services to customers. The official starwashchile Instagram account features photos and videos showcasing the Millennium Falcon and actors dressed as The Mandalorian promoting the car wash in malls.
Disney has always been known for its strict protection of its copyrights, leading to numerous high-profile copyright lawsuits. One notorious case occurred in 1989, when Disney sued three Florida daycare centers for using their characters in murals. More recently, Disney faced criticism for denying a request to allow an image of Spider-Man on a child's gravestone, citing their policy of not allowing characters to be depicted on headstones. Despite public backlash and a petition, Disney stood by their decision.
Disney has filed a lawsuit claiming that Star Wash could lead consumers to believe it is an officially endorsed product. Jara contends that the copyright does not cover car washes. For further updates on Disney and Star Wars, stay tuned to Dexerto.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I feel conflicted about Disney's lawsuit against Star Wash. On the one hand, I understand Disney's need to protect its intellectual property. Star Wars is one of the most iconic and beloved franchises in the world, and Disney has invested billions of dollars in creating and maintaining it. It's only natural that they would want to prevent others from profiting off of their hard work.
On the other hand, I can't help but feel sympathetic towards Star Wash. They're a small business that is clearly passionate about Star Wars. They're not trying to deceive anyone; they're simply trying to create a fun and unique experience for their customers. I think it's a shame that Disney is trying to shut them down.
Ultimately, I think the best solution would be for Disney and Star Wash to reach a compromise. Disney could allow Star Wash to continue operating, as long as they agree to certain restrictions, such as not using the Star Wars logo or characters in their branding. This would allow Star Wash to continue to serve its customers, while also protecting Disney's intellectual property.
