By Monica Ortiz Uribe, KJZZ News for Fronteras
LAS CRUCES – Disney Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, wants to trademark the Spanish phrase for the holiday Day of the Dead. The response on social media has been mostly negative.
Disney filed 10 requests in the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office this month to coin the phrase ‘Dia de los Muertos.’ Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that’s become popular in the U.S. Disney’s filings are mainly for merchandise presumably connected to an upcoming film. Rod Berman, a patent attorney in California, says Disney is filing to protect products, not steal a holiday.
ROD BERMAN: “So even if Disney were to obtain trademark registration…that wouldn’t prevent anyone from practicing their faith or having the holiday.”
Social media reacted angrily to the news with some accusing Disney of trying to profit off a sacred Mexican tradition. Disney has not yet responded.
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