MOUNTIES IN DISNEYLAND
By Adnews Staff
The Mounties are a Mickey Mouse oufift. Canada's historic police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, has sold the exclusive rights to its likeness and image to the Walt Disney Co. of Burbank, California. Concerned about the dozens of companies selling merchandise using the Mountie image without paying for the privilege, the force said in January it would crack down April 1 on those who use the redcoat image without buying the right. The force says it made the deal with Disney as the best way to uphold its image while picking up cash to fund community policing activities. Disney will screen potential licensees and monitor Mountie products to ensure appropriate standards are met. Disney will also do its own policing to curb pirate production. However, at least one lawyer thinks the Mounties and Walt Disney don't know the law on this one. Bob Storey, a partner in the Toronto law firm Heraskin Parr which specializes in intellectual property, is quoted in The Vancouver Sun. He says people who want to continue using the Mountie image on coffee mugs and the like could make an argument that the Mountie image has been used for so many years that it's part of Canada's culture.