Caterpillar, Inc. v. Walt Disney Co.
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
287 F.Supp.2d 913 (2003)

- Written by Sarah Holley, JD
Facts
Caterpillar, Inc. (plaintiff) designed and manufactured construction machines and materials and held multiple trademark registrations for its “Caterpillar” and “Cat” designs, among others. Caterpillar brought suit against Walt Disney Co. (Disney) (defendant), alleging that Disney violated Caterpillar’s trademark rights through its production of the movie George of the Jungle II, which contained scenes in which the villain and his henchmen were depicted using Caterpillar bulldozers to destroy George’s home. The bulldozers were genuine Caterpillar products bearing the Caterpillar and Cat trademarks on them with no apparent alterations. The narrator described the machines as “deleterious dozers” and “maniacal machines.” Specifically, Caterpillar alleged causes of action for trademark infringement and trademark dilution and sought to enjoin the release of George of the Jungle II until the alleged violations were removed from the movie.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (McDade, C.J.)
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