Here is some info from Ray:
Hi
Everyone-
Well, as some of you may have seen in the press over the past few days,
- CNN, Forbes, NY Post, Washington Post, Reuters, Yahoo News, etc.,
I have a $10 million lawsuit against
Disney/Pixar for their mega-hit film, Finding Nemo.
We are citing a trademark infringement
on the name mr. RAY, which I do own as a registered trademark.
As most of you know, there is a manta ray school
teacher in the film who sings to his kids.
I know it's an animated manta ray, and I'm not, but the fact is that we are
going after the same audience, the pre-school 2-6 demographic.
Just last week, I performed at a party and a Mom told me her 4 year-old
daughter thought the mr. RAY character from the film
was entertaining at the party.
I realize that's just a small party, but as my products
get out there more, it could be damaging.
Hopefully bolstering my case, is the fact that I'm awaiting payment from Disney
on
two songs I wrote for a TV pilot, that they rejected, but nevertheless,
still are
paying me for - so, I'm on their books.
I was first made aware of this via a
series of emails from folks like you...parents and kids alike - thanks.
Why does this lawsuit exist?
Simply put, to protect my name and reputation,
and what i've worked nine years cultivating.
They (Disney/Pixar) could have done a simple search and found
that I do indeed have a registered trademark for over two years now,
This is known as a confusion issue. Sure, they're huge, I'm not,
but without sounding self-righteous, I have to protect myself.
From what you may ask?
For one, I have a soon-to-be-nationally-released
DVD/Video coming out, plush toys,
and if I did not take this measure, folks who are not aware of yours truly,
may think that I was 'borrowing'
the name mr. RAY from the Disney movie. (including Disney!)
What do we have trademarks for, but to enforce/defend
the ideas of the little folks like me?
Look, this was not an easy decision to make - suing one of your
childhood 'imagination institutions.'
For the record, I am a HUGE Disney fan - heck, I even buy old 60s
Disneyland records off of Ebay! But this is business.
Like I said, if the shoe was on the other foot...
The other night, I was on nationally-syndicated radio shows on WOR 710
New York, Money
Talk With the Dolans, and this morning,
I was on The
Bob Rivers Radio Show, a CBS-owned
morning Classic Rock Show based in Seattle.
Both were live interviews, and they went great.
The people who called in were very supportive of my suit.
As I explained to all the hosts, it is not the money I am after -
it is the principle and the fact that if I let this slide, it could have
potential irreparable
damage to my career as a kids entertainer.
What if the next movie is titled, mr. RAY & Nemo's New Adventure?
Or if there's a mr. RAY ride at any of the Disney Parks?
It's a sure bet that if I did nothing and released ANY future product,
Disney would have been issuing their cease n' desist letter first
in regard to my name.
May I ask you to stand by in the event I need
to start an e-mail campaign,
petition or if I need bodies to pack an event...?
I'll keep ya posted.
Warmest Wishes,
mr. RAY
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