Kelly Knievel sues Disney-Pixar over Toy Story 4's Duke Caboom
Kelly Knievel, son of legendary daredevil Robert "Evel" Knievel (1938-2007) and head of K&K Promotions, filed a trademark infringement complaint in Las Vegas federal court, claiming that Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios have appropriated the image of his deceased father, for the character of Duke Caboom, a man of action on a motorcycle, for the Oscar 2019 winning film Toy Story 4. The action figure decorated with the Canadian maple leaf was voiced by Keanu Reeves.
The prosecution
“The defendants have used in trade and continue to use in trade the likeness, reputation and image of Evel Knievel in the Toy Story 4 movie, through the depiction of Duke Caboom by the defendants and have exploited the same connection through marketing. , the promotion, advertising, and sales of Toy Story 4, and in connection with the production, distribution, marketing, advertising, promotion and sale of the Duke Caboom action figure, all without the consent or approval of K&K " , reads in the seven-complaint lawsuit filed by Las Vegas law firm Kemp Jones LLP. "As a direct and immediate result of the unlawful appropriation of Evel Knievel's publicity rights by the defendants, K&K has suffered, and will continue to suffer, monetary damage to its business, reputation and goodwill."
The jury's lawsuit, citing the billion-dollar box office film, as well as the Caboom merchandise and classic Knievel toys, seeks damages in excess of $ 75.000 and "other and further remedies as this court may find just and fair."
For his part, a Pixar spokesperson said Friday: "The claims are without merit and we intend to defend them vigorously in court."
The story of Evel Knievel
Montana-born Evel Knievel was a 70s phenomenon, appearing on numerous late-night shows to advertise his latest exploits - which usually involved donning his patriotic suit and hopping his bike over something very, very large. it's dangerous. He has been the focus of numerous documentaries and star of Warner Bros. " Viva Knievel! (1977). He appeared as a guest star on an episode of The bionic woman (1977), and later expressed himself in the Disney cartoon Pepper Ann (1999)
As a pop culture icon, Knievel has obviously made a mark in animation. In particular, he gave the inspiration for the Hanna-Barbera cartoon in 17 episodes Devlin (1974), as well as the character of Captain Lance Murdock (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) in the classic season 2 The Simpsons episode "Bart the Daredevil" (1990).
As extreme as his performance was, Knievel seemed to be part of his private life as well, when he attacked 20th Century Fox executive Shelly Saltman, with an aluminum baseball bat for an unflattering description of himself in the book. Evel Knievel on tour. Knievel pleaded guilty in 1977, winning jail and losing his support and agreement with Ideal Toys. Despite this, Knievel returned to prominence in the 90s with a series of marketing partnerships and exhibitions. He made his last public tour in 2005 at a Milwaukee Harley-Davidson dealership to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
USA Network is planning a new limited series based on the life of the stunt legend, titled Eve, with Milo Ventimiglia (This is us).
[Source: Deadline]
