Why did you join your fraternity or sorority?

[nittanyalum]

But the difference is that the NPC sororities typically say Raggedy Ann is an "unofficial" mascot (ASA uses her too, don't they?). This group (Brooklyn College, btw, thanks, MC ) says that its mascot IS Ariel. I do wonder how the licensing people at Disney would view its unauthorized use for the last 17 years...

[cuteASAbug]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

But the difference is that the NPC sororities typically say Raggedy Ann is an "unofficial" mascot (ASA uses her too, don't they?). This group (Brooklyn College, btw, thanks, MC ) says that its mascot IS Ariel. I do wonder how the licensing people at Disney would view its unauthorized use for the last 17 years...

We still do, but just not as much as we used to.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I do wonder how the licensing people at Disney would view its unauthorized use for the last 17 years...

Probably not a blip on their screen. I'm no expert, but it seems to me that, in the past, organizations ran into trouble when they became large enough to be "commercial" in the sense that paraphernalia companies make lots of money off them and, thus, the trademarks.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Probably not a blip on their screen. I'm no expert, but it seems to me that, in the past, organizations ran into trouble when they became large enough to be "commercial" in the sense that paraphernalia companies makes lots of money off them and, thus, the trademarks.

I don't know about that. Historically, Disney has been very protective of any unauthorized use of any its characters.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't know about that. Historically, Disney has been very protective of any unauthorized use of any its characters.

I would think after 17 years of being in existence, Disney would have noticed it though. Unless the symbol was added recently...

Which brings me to the point I just can't hold in any longer - what kind of sorority can take itself seriously with a cartoon character as its symbol? I mean, really??? Sounds like the clubs I used to start in my backyard when I was in middle school...

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

Sounds like the clubs I used to start in my backyard when I was in middle school...

This made me laugh.

I don't get why people feel that it's necessary to take someone else's symbol and claim it as theirs, you know?

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by OTW

This made me laugh.

I don't get why people feel that it's necessary to take someone else's symbol and claim it as theirs, you know?

It felt kinda harsh to say, but I felt a little better knowing I probably wasn't the only one who felt this way And yeah, I agree - not to say Ariel is Zeta's or anything, but the fact that it's copyrighted should have been enough to say, let's choose something else girls. How about an object or something else NOT most likely copyrighted like the other sororities do?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

I would think after 17 years of being in existence, Disney would have noticed it though. Unless the symbol was added recently...

Not necessarily, given that this is a local sorority.

Which brings me to the point I just can't hold in any longer - what kind of sorority can take itself seriously with a cartoon character as its symbol? I mean, really??? Sounds like the clubs I used to start in my backyard when I was in middle school...

LOL. I had that same question.

But seriously . . . middle school? I would have thought you'd leave Disney Princesses at elementary school.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not necessarily, given that this is a local sorority.

And I'm also guessing the website hasn't been up all these years, either. Other than the internets, how would Disney have known?

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not necessarily, given that this is a local sorority.

You said they were VERY strict - if so, don't they have little Disney spies everywhere...?

LOL. I had that same question.

But seriously . . . middle school? I would have thought you'd leave Disney Princesses at elementary school. Ok, maybe 4th or 5th grade-ish, so you're right.

.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

You said they were VERY strict - if so, don't they have little Disney spies everywhere...?

LOL. Even The Mouse can't be everywhere. That's why The Mouse needs help.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But seriously . . . middle school? I would have thought you'd leave Disney Princesses at elementary school.

There are four local at the school. At least three of them that I know of have cartoon charcters as thier mascot: Lit tle Mermaid, Calvin from Calvin and Hobbs, and Babs Bunny.

For more info, PM me

[SWTXBelle]

Disney has actually sued day care centers which used their characters without permission, even though they were rather small operations. I can't imagine Disney licensing one of their characters for a local group - licensing fees are very high, and they have a very clear idea of what and how they use their characters. I'm pretty sure they don't need a local sorority to promote their characters. ROFL. Without any assurances of how it would be used, I would be shocked if it were indeed the case that WD has given the group carte blanche. Sorry, short of posting the agreement (and then I'd have to make a few calls) I don't buy it.
One reason cited by the artist for discontinuing Calvin & Hobbes is because of all the unauthorized use of Calvin (all those little peeing Calvins? Illegal - and I'd be shocked to find out the sorority using it has authorization.)
I'd think less of a group which used a trademarked, copyrighted character without the proper authorization. That's ILLEGAL - how can you claim to have high ideals and principles if you are willing to break the law?
There is a difference between using a mermaid, even one based on Hans Christian Anderson's story The Little Mermaid (which is in the public domain) and using Ariel, the character created by and vigorously protected by) Disney. There are lawyers who make a good living "helping" those who don't understand this.