Disney Sued for Violating Man’s Patent
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Aaron D. Clark, an Ohio businessman, is claiming that the Walt Disney Company stole his idea for talking/singing posters. His lawsuit alleges that Disney’s talking posters of Hannah Montana and the Cheetah Girls infringe on a patent he obtained in 1996. Co-defendents in the suit include Toys R Us, KBtoys, Jakks Pacific, Play Along Toys and Amazon.com, all of which manufactured/distributed the posters. When he filed the patent in 1996, he also got licensing deals with Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema for Batman and Austin Powers posters while Disney refrained from signing a contract with Clark. He claims that his patent is “broad” and covers any posters with sound.
He has yet to specify the amount of money in damages and composition he is seeking.
