Disney should put sentiment over profits

Everyone loves Disney.

We think of the company as a bit like a kindly uncle appearing every now and then throughout our childhood to deliver fun and a treat.

Of course, somewhere in the back of our minds, we understand that they are not really a loving relative, but rather a commercial organisation whose principal aim is to make a profit.

It is the way of today’s world that much of that profit comes not from their core product of getting bums on seats in cinemas, but rather from the sale of merchandise that surrounds every film release

- the toys, the T-shirts, the posters etc.

So it is not surprising that the firm wants to vigorously enforce control of their copyright images.

They don’t want some backstreet sweat-shop knocking off Mickey Mouse hats and making a dent in their pockets.

All that’s perfectly understandable when it comes to commercial enterprises, but when it comes down to what is a simple request from a bereaved family, Disney have got it wrong.

The Jones family sought permission from Disney, the owners of Marvel Entertainment, for permission to use an image of Spider-Man on the gravestone of their fouryear-old son Ollie - who had been a huge fan of the comic book hero.

Permission was denied.

The company said it did not want to spoil the “innocence and magic” of their characters for young fans, by allowing their association with death. Duh! What is it that people remember most about Bambi if it is not Bambi’s mother being shot?

‘When it comes down to a simple request from a bereaved family, Disney have got it wrong’