I guess we all should have figured this was coming. When you take on the kind of military unit that is capable of taking out the likes of Usama Bin Laden (UBL), you better be careful. So with Disney trying to nail down a trademark on Seal Team Six, it was only fitting that the Seals themselves might have something to say about it. And it is just as fitting that Disney would have backed off on its efforts to trademark the name Seal Team Six.
Rumor has it that the derisive tone of certain editorial commentary forced Disney’s lawyers to take another look at their intended escapade. Seeing the deft argument, the stunning logic, and the irrefutable conclusions, the lawyers suggested that Big D withdraw from seeking the trademarks, as described.
Truthfully, whether it was the sense of the public outrage or how big a beating the corporate image was taking in the news, columns, and from talk show hosts or just the fact that the Navy had applied for the trademarks doesn’t really matter. The fact is, ultimately, that Disney made the right decision in backing off. Corporations aren’t particularly known for having good taste, but in this case common sense conquered common greed. Sense wins again.
And yet, I was so looking forward to another chance to slam Disney. It would work out something like this: In one corner you have Disney and in the other corner the United States Navy, aka the original Seal Team Six. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem fair now does it? I mean some critter with a big long nose and huge funky ears, against a cut-throat death merchant.
It’s unfortunate that Disney wasted little time in applying for the trademark. Had they merely thought through their actions, thought about the American public and how they would feel about the move, they could have save a lot of time and aggravation. On the other hand, I would have had to write a couple of different columns, so while I was not in favor of Disney’s Big Circus, it did provide me with a little column fodder whilst honing my disgust of everything grossly opportunistic.
It’s not that I have anything against Capitalism. I don’t. I spent my time in the Army supporting this way of life and would do so again if asked. But there is just something about the manner in which Disney moved on this that was distasteful. Do you not have enough money that you have to embellish your bottom line with the work someone else did? No less capitalizing on the death of a political leader? Do you think, even for a minute, that seeing the term Seal Team Six would not have evoked the memory of the whole UBL chase?
Not me.
So, while I laud Disney for making the kind of decision they should have made in the first place; I condemn them for even doing so in the first place. In other words, they have showed their hand. We now know that their main concern is profit uber alles. The limits of decorum don’t have a place when it comes to making money, apparently.
I am not sure how many columnists, talk show hosts, and comedians attacked Disney over this strategic move. I’m not even sure that it was the public hue and cry as they rendered their disgust. All I know is that somewhere, someone at Disney had sense enough to realize that pushing this bad idea would do even more damage to their corporate image than they could possibly earn by pursuing the trademarks.
At some level, I would like to thank Disney for doing the right thing. On the other hand, what’s to stop them from doing the same thing again? What’s going to keep them from trying to take credit for the next strategic action in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Libya? Ooops, did I say Libya, Libya that must have been a typo. Just ignore that, we’re only engaged with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria? No, no that’s not right; it’s just Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran? No, wrong again, it must be Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel. Wrong again? Oh well, it’ll be whoever it will be. Just hope that Disney doesn’t find out anytime soon.
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