The Walt Disney Company filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles against a Hong Kong-based jeweler, accusing the business of selling unlicensed products featuring its signature character, Mickey Mouse.
According to the complaint, the Red Earth Group markets a line of rings, necklaces, and earrings under the brand name Satéur and labels the collection “Mickey 1928.” Disney alleges the collection infringes on its longstanding trademark rights and is designed to mislead consumers into believing the items are officially licensed merchandise.
The disputed pieces feature a likeness of Mickey Mouse as he appeared in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie. Disney asserts that while this version of the character entered the public domain in the United States in 2024, the company’s trademark protections remain intact. The lawsuit claims Red Earth is using the public domain status as a legal pretext to associate its products with Disney’s brand.
One of the central items named in the complaint is a ring described by Satéur as the “Mickey 1928 Classique Ring,” which features a figure modeled after the early Mickey Mouse character seated on a band with a synthetic gemstone. Disney argues this and similar products are intentionally marketed using language aimed at Disney fans, including references to “Disney enthusiasts,” which the company says further confuses consumers.
The lawsuit states that such tactics are intended to imply a partnership or endorsement by Disney that does not exist. Disney’s legal team also maintains that the use of the character in this context blurs the line between public domain imagery and trademark-protected branding.
Disney is seeking an injunction to stop Red Earth from marketing or selling the jewelry in question, as well as unspecified monetary damages. The company also emphasized its continued commitment to enforcing its trademark rights and preventing consumer confusion over the origin of goods bearing its iconic characters.
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