The Walt Disney Company is again facing backlash — this time for targeting a small Chilean car wash.
House of Mouse recently filed a lawsuit against a “Star Wars” themed car wash located on the outskirts of Santiago, which uses classic space drama fonts and themed decorations.
Photos and videos posted online from Star Wash even show workers dressed as characters, with Chewbacca wiping the windshield, Boba Fett and Cassian Andor using a hose and Darth Vader appearing to use force to summon a rag.
To take part in the traditional car wash, Star Wash has amassed over 26,000 followers worldwide on Instagram.
But when owner Matias Jara tried to register the name Star Wash with Chilean patent authorities, Lucasfilm — the “Star Wars” production company that Disney bought for $4 billion in 2012 — filed a lawsuit against him.
The company claims the Star Wash name is too similar to the space saga, potentially leading customers to associate the car wash with the franchise.
Disney has sued a family-owned “Star Wars”-themed car wash in Chile. Instagram/starwashchile
“They say our name ‘Star Wash’ leads to confusion because someone can come with the intention of buying the movies, helmets or statues they sell,” Jara said.
“This is not happening. We have a car wash called ‘Star Wash’ because it is a brilliant wash.
“We don’t make movies or sell their products or anything like that.”
Jara claims the company doesn’t seem to have any problem with attendants dressing up as characters, and says her daughter came up with the name after visiting one of the theme parks in the United States.
He’s now trying to fight back against the company, suggesting that the two names are different enough, and arguing that Lucasfilm’s copyright doesn’t cover car washes — even though it includes merchandise and toys.
Photos and videos posted online show workers dressed as the characters. Instagram/starwashchile
Jara is now trying to drum up support for his business, posting a video of Darth Vader visiting a car wash with the caption: “In a conflict-ridden galaxy, a legal battle of epic proportions emerges.
“At the center of this war, “Star Wash”, a modest family business, is caught in a confrontation with the mighty Lucasfilm Empire,” he said.
“We will stand firm, the team is with us.”
Last month, the car wash also hired a Pedro Pascal impersonator to raise awareness of their fight against Disney at a local mall.
“Of course this lawsuit affects us,” Jara said. “We’re a small business and we spend on things we don’t spend on.”
As news of the lawsuit spread online, some suggested the car wash was running a better company. X/Trevor_Drake_ Others slammed the House of Mouse for attacking a small, family-owned business. X/AussieBro4Chan
As news of Disney’s latest legal effort spread, many on social media slammed the company.
“Since 1977, Star Wars has been a worldwide phenomenon,” one X user writesclaiming it was only “a matter of time before this car wash thing happened.
“Disney, the multi-billion dollar company chasing random car washes in South America that probably barely make a profit.”
“Pray for Star Wash to win that—” other users posted.
Others suggested the car wash was running a better company, after the House of Mouse lost at least $1 billion following a disastrous year at the box office.
Disney+ also lost $387 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, while its theme parks continue to see fewer visitors as prices rise.
A German illustrator suggested it “looks like this Star Wash [is making] more money” after it lost at least $1 billion at the box office last year. X/MichelVan4
“Star Wash did more for the franchise than Disney tbh,” an X user commented.
In an effort to bring the company back, CEO Bob Iger said Disney will now focus on quality over quantity, releasing fewer shows and movies of a higher standard.
“We’re all rolling up our sleeves, myself included, to do that,” Iger said on the November earnings call, according to Newsweek.
“We have a really great asset [and] a good story to tell.”
The Post has reached out to the Walt Disney Company for comment.
With Postal wire.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
