This strikes me as all kinds of disgraceful. Just two days after SEAL Team 6 killed Osama bin Laden, Disney (Disney!) filed for a trademark on the name “SEAL Team 6”. Seriously!? you ask. Yes. This is not a head-scratcher but a head-shaker. Disney is trying to legally usurp the right to use the name exclusively for toys, movies, etc. Shameful. The name doesn’t belong to them. They should get fined for even trying this.

The Navy has filed the proper objection and counterclaim and Disney should be put in its place – because, as you might imagine, trademark law doesn’t allow Disney to do this in the face of opposition by the party actually using the name (ya think!?). However, as the article reports, it seems that in situations like this, an accommodation is often reached between the parties. Rather than deny Disney the use, the Navy might end up licensing the name to Disney, so that both entities can profit. Makes sense, but Disney’s way of going about it is borderline malicious. Why not just approach the Navy and offer a deal? THEN deal with the trademarking.

B