Deadmau5 is being taken to court by a much bigger cartoon mau5.
Disney is apparently ready to challenge him in court after the conglomerate determined that the DJ's logo is too similar to its (trademarked) Mickey Mouse ears.
We can't decide if we're shocked at this news or shocked that it's taken them this long to file, but either way, the electronic music star is vowing to fight it out.
"Landed home to some interesting news," he tweeted this week. "Looks like Disney officially just filed in opposition of my trademark … lawyer up Mickey."
"Disney thinks you might confuse an established electronic musician/performer with a cartoon mouse," he went on. "That's how stupid they think you are."
Deadmau5 (pronounced "dead mouse"), real name Joel Zimmerman, uses oversized headpieces with rounded ears, while doing his thing live around the world.
In a statement to E! News, Deadmau5 attorney Dina LaPolt further elaborated on the matter, claiming he has his own likeness trademarked, thankyouverymuch:
"The deadmau5 front-facing mau5head is a registered trademark in 30 countries. In June 2013, deadmau5 applied to register the front-facing mau5head with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office."
"Disney is now opposing the U.S. filing. Our client will not be bullied by Disney and is prepared to fight to protect his rights to his property."
"Given that the mau5head and other deadmau5 trademarks have been used in the U.S. and around the world for almost a decade, we wonder why Disney is only now coming after deadmau5."
Disney has not commented publicly on the dispute, but Deadmau5 immediately shot down the idea that this is somehow a PR stunt of his own making.
Imagining having 101 children to keep up with pretty much gives us hives. This wouldn't have happened if people listened to Bob Barker.
"Publicity stunt? I think I could find MUCH MUCH cheaper publicity stunts homie," he wrote to a fan accusing him of trying to drum up some headlines.
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