Disney accused of 'evil bulldozer' slur

from the BBC

16 October 2003

Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar has seen red over a new Disney film which it claims portrays its earthmovers as "evil".

The US engineering giant is attempting to block the release of George of the Jungle 2, claiming the film will damage its reputation.

The company claims the straight-to-video slapstick comedy portrays Caterpillar earthmovers as part of an "evil attacking army" bent on destroying the jungle.

But Disney – which has vowed to fight Caterpillar's trademark infringement law suit – claims the offending scenes are harmless fun.

Battle scene

The film centres on George, an accident-prone Tarzan figure, and his attempts to save the jungle from scheming industrialists.

Caterpillar objects to the final battle sequence, which pits George and his computer-animated animal friends against an army of Caterpillar Wheel Loaders that a narrator calls "bulldozing bullies".

The Caterpillar name and corporate logo are featured clearly throughout.

The company claims the scenes will have a negative effect on children and could affect Caterpillar's line of children's products.

A Disney statement said: "While we have great respect for Caterpillar, we consider this without legal merit and we expect the audience will view these sequences for their comedic value and not take them seriously."

The lawsuit asks a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to block the scheduled release of the film.

It also seeks an order that Disney destroy all offending material.

A Disney spokesman said the film has already been released outside the United States.

No court date has been set.