Artist’s Estate Sues Disney Over Origins of Epcot Theme Park
The Associated Press
Published: Nov 19, 2002
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – An artist’s estate sued Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday, claiming the company stole his vision for a theme park and turned it into Epcot Center.
Mark Waters’ 1961 painting for Miniature World, based on a U.S. Air Force officer’s concept, bears striking similarities to Disney’s Epcot, which opened in 1982. Both parks have hourglass shapes, large spheres at their entrances and a lake surrounded by pavilions evoking different countries.
According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Lt. Col. Robert M. Jaffray met Waters in Hawaii. Jaffray took the painting to Disney officials in 1963, only to have the company turn down his pitch.
But in 1979, Disney unveiled its plans for Epcot – and they looked much like Waters’ painting.
“We believe that Disney will now have to deal with this case straight up,” said John Stemberger, the attorney representing the estate of Waters, who died in 1997.
A Disney spokeswoman, Marilyn Waters, said the lawsuit has no merit. She is not related to the artist.
According to Waters, a similar lawsuit last year by the artist’s wife and daughter was dismissed in Rhode Island because the statute of limitations expired. An appeals court upheld that decision.
Stemberger, who also represents the Jaffray family, said they also may file a lawsuit.
Disney has always claimed that the World Showcase section of Epcot, with pavilions displaying cultural exhibits from 11 countries, was inspired by World’s Fairs.
AP-ES-11-19-02 1853EST
I found this here
Loading comments...