Disney Accused Of "Colonialism" Over Trademark Of 'Hakuna Matata'
A petition calling for Disney to drop their 2003 trademark has nearly reached 75,000.
Upwards of 70,000 people have signed petition urging Disney to drop their trademark of ‘hakuna matata’ from The Lion King, accusing the company of “colonialism and robbery”.
The expression means ‘no problem’ or ‘no worries’ in Swahili, a language spoken in several East African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and D.R. Congo. ‘Hakuna matata’ was popularised in 1982 by the Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, whose platinum-selling single ‘Jambo Bwana (Hello, Mister)’ featured the phrase. It was later featured in Disney’s 1994 animation The Lion King, which spawned a hit musical and has since became one of Disney’s most lucrative franchises.
Disney was granted an American trademark for the expression way back in 2003, which protects the use of the phrase on clothing and footwear.
Continue reading: Disney Accused Of "Colonialism" Over Trademark Of 'Hakuna Matata'