Mickey Mouse Is A Beloved Icon In Paraguay, But He’s Not Of Disney Descent
Image via Mickey Paraguay
In Paraguay, Mickey Mouse has a second home—only this time, the House of Mouse didn’t get an invite. While Disney’s beloved cartoon character is known worldwide, in Paraguay, “Mickey” has taken on a life of his own, becoming a national staple in a way few would expect.
As reported by the New York Times, the tale begins in 1935, when entrepreneur Pascual Blasco founded a food-packaging company in Paraguay and boldly named it “Mickey” (pronounced “MEE-kay”). And while Disney’s Mickey Mouse was charming audiences on screen, Paraguay’s iteration was making its mark in local kitchens, plastered as a logo on products ranging from hot sauce to soybean packs.
View this post on Instagram
Undoubtedly inspired by the famous cartoon character, the company’s mascot is a cheerful mouse with round ears, a dead ringer for Disney’s beloved character. This version quickly became a household name, complete with factory gates and trucks proudly displaying his familiar face.
It wasn’t long before Disney caught wind of Paraguay’s unofficial tribute and, in 1991, took legal action. The entertainment giant filed a trademark violation with Paraguay’s Ministry of Business and Industry, seeking to reclaim ownership of its character’s likeness.
However, Disney’s claim was dismissed, and despite further legal battles that escalated all the way to the Paraguayan Supreme Court, Mickey (the food mascot) came out on top.
View this post on Instagram
The court’s decision hinged on a legal loophole: while Disney’s Mickey was registered in the entertainment category, Paraguay’s Mickey was registered in the food industry. This distinction allowed the Paraguayan company to continue using the name and likeness of the cartoon mouse without infringing on Disney's trademark.
View this post on Instagram
[via New York Times, Slashdot, Bard College, images via Mickey Paraguay]
