In 1994, Disney trademarked the use of the phrase “hakuna matata” on clothing, footwear, and headgear. The common Swahili phrase, meaning “no trouble,” was the name of a song in Disney’s movie The Lion King. Now, a petition for Disney to give up the copyright, has more than 50,000 signatures.
(Zimbabwean activist Shelton) Mpala told CNN he started the petition “to draw attention to the appropriation of African culture and the importance of protecting our heritage, identity and culture from being exploited for financial gain by third parties. This plundered artwork serves to enrich or benefit these museums and corporations and not the creators or people it’s derived from.”
(image: a selection of goods from Alibaba.com)