Disney suing BC Ferries over new ship's name

[Low Light Mike]

Disney suing B.C. Ferries
Ron Jonest, Times Coloniste

Published: Sunday, April 01, 2007

The Walt Disney Company, one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world, is challenging the use of a new ferry's name. The new ferry "Northern Adventure" recently entered northern service for British Columbia Ferry Services.

Disney asserts that it owns the international copyright to the name "Northern Adventure", which it legally protected a number of years ago, at a time when it copyrighted various possible names for possible future theme-parks. At the time of opening Disney's California Adventure Park, the forward-thinking company saw the possibility for a future, similar styled park in the State of Alaska. At that time, Disney registered the copyright for the name "Disney's Northern Adventure", as part of the creation of a new name-branding theme for a possible new line of parks, starting with "Disney's California Adventure."

Disney now claims that the use of the name "Northern Adventure" by British Columbia Ferry Services is in violation of it's copyright, and is asking BC Ferries to rename the ship. Disney's legal spokesperson said that the name of the ferry is similar enough to the possible future Alaska theme park's name "Disney's Northern Adventure" to possibly cause confusion among the traveling public.

BC Ferries responded to reporters questions by stating that the Disney argument is without legal merit because "the general public is smart enough to know the difference between a ferry and a ferris-wheel."


© Times Coloniste (Victoria) 2007

[WettCoast]

Check the date! ;D

[Fenklebaum]

Ah, April Fools Day. It's like Christmas, Easter and St. Patricks' Day all rolled into one big steaming paper bag on one's front porch. Good. Times.

I must confess to being got by this one. Quite frankly, it made me happy to think that BC Ferries' corporate eggheads were victims of their own hubris after deciding not to name the Northern Adventure the Spirit of Hartley Bay.

Fenk, hubristic

[Queen of Vancouver]

LoL, had me there for min.

[Neil]

Not so fast with the April fool's assumptions.

I read the same story today in the Delta Daily Herald. And I recall how, back in the '70s, Disney sued PEI Ferries over the name of their ship, the 'Vacationland'. Disney is ruthless about people infringing on their copyright, and one would have to be daffy to think that some mickey mouse Canadian ferry operator could give one of their boats a Disney registered name and not make the big guys grumpy.

[Curtis]

LOL!!! LMAO!!!!! I had a feeling that it would be something to do with the NorAd, Except I had the Impression that it would have something to do with the new liquor liscense the crew gets drunk and sinks the ship...That's not very funny though, this is way better ;D

Though you could be right about Disney deciding to sue over a name.
Anyone remember seeing the beginning of that Simpsons episode at a school carnival, the lawyers showed up because they used "The Happiest Place on Earth" in their slogan and Principal Skinner got rid of them...sort of violently.

[Political Incorrectness]

I believe someone else is not happy either


Royal Caribbean International Files a Lawsuit against British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.



MIAMI, April 1, 2007 - Royal Caribbean today filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of vessel operators for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. "Coastal" and "Northern" naming prefixes with their newest ships. Along with the "Northern Explorer" name for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. new ship that will service their northern routes. Royal Caribbean is afraid of losing profits due to the trademark on "Explorer of the Seas". So far Disney Co. has sued over the use of "Northern Adventure" due to Disney using "California Adventure" as one of it's theme park names. Royal Caribbean International sued for the naming prefixes to be changed and for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. to change their naming scheme. "It is a disgrace that a ferry company use a highly recognized naming scheme to take away from our profits." said Adam Goldstein, President of Royal Caribbean International. Carnival is preparing to join the class action lawsuit along with Seaspan Corporation of British Columbia. The lawsuit will go to court sometime in 2010. Royal Caribbean shall be requesting for a ship name change and the total revenue of British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.

[Curtis]

Now I don't know what to believe...Coincidence or April Fools Joke??

Nah, Just a Continuation.

[Mike C]

I should've known... "Times Coloniste"

[Balfour]

hahaha....

We had quite the article appear in the North Shore News this morning. Something about a four lane freeway going along the the North Shore's Waterfront and a suspension bridge crossing Indian Arm into Belcarra.

[Dane]

Ha, I was thinking for a minute history was repeating itself...