Stealing Nemo?
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:34 am
French author claims Disney's Nemo resembles his own character in lawsuit
PARIS, France (AP) — A French children's book author has filed a lawsuit against Disney claiming that the superstar fish Nemo closely resembles his own creation, a smiling, wide-eyed clown fish named Pierrot.
Franck Le Calvez's book, "Pierrot the Clown Fish," tells the story of a striped orange fish who's separated from his family — similar to the plot of "Finding Nemo," the highest-grossing film of 2003.
In February, a court will hear his case against Disney and Pixar Animation, Le Monde newspaper reported. The case is for breach of copyright and trademark, and Le Calvez also wants "Nemo" merchandise taken off the shelves of French shops.
The Walt Disney Co. said it considers the case "to be totally without merit."
"`Finding Nemo,' which is owned by Pixar and Disney, was independently developed and does not infringe anyone's copyright or trademarks," the company said in a statement. "Obviously, it is up to the courts to decide this matter."
Le Calvez registered his story with French trademark officials in 1995, according to a Dec. 20 story in Le Monde. Then he pitched his idea to film animation studios, without success.
In 2000, Le Calvez turned Pierrot into an idea for a book, and it was published last year.
Neither Le Calvez nor his lawyer, Pascal Kamina, could be reached for comment.
In an article published Tuesday in The Hollywood Reporter, Kamina was quoted as saying that he'll keep pushing forward with the lawsuit if he doesn't receive an explanation from Disney.
PARIS, France (AP) — A French children's book author has filed a lawsuit against Disney claiming that the superstar fish Nemo closely resembles his own creation, a smiling, wide-eyed clown fish named Pierrot.
Franck Le Calvez's book, "Pierrot the Clown Fish," tells the story of a striped orange fish who's separated from his family — similar to the plot of "Finding Nemo," the highest-grossing film of 2003.
In February, a court will hear his case against Disney and Pixar Animation, Le Monde newspaper reported. The case is for breach of copyright and trademark, and Le Calvez also wants "Nemo" merchandise taken off the shelves of French shops.
The Walt Disney Co. said it considers the case "to be totally without merit."
"`Finding Nemo,' which is owned by Pixar and Disney, was independently developed and does not infringe anyone's copyright or trademarks," the company said in a statement. "Obviously, it is up to the courts to decide this matter."
Le Calvez registered his story with French trademark officials in 1995, according to a Dec. 20 story in Le Monde. Then he pitched his idea to film animation studios, without success.
In 2000, Le Calvez turned Pierrot into an idea for a book, and it was published last year.
Neither Le Calvez nor his lawyer, Pascal Kamina, could be reached for comment.
In an article published Tuesday in The Hollywood Reporter, Kamina was quoted as saying that he'll keep pushing forward with the lawsuit if he doesn't receive an explanation from Disney.