Pixar Animation Studios has gone too far. Bloomberg.com reports that the Norwegian manufacturer of lamps, Luxo AS, is suing Pixar for infringing upon the brand.
The squeaky swivel lamp Luxo Jr. made his first appearance in the 1986 Academy Award nominated short film “Luxo Jr.” The flick features two lamps, a father and son, inspired by John Lasseter’s own Luxo task light. Pixar ended up adopting the little hopping desk lamp as their corporate logo.
Luxo had no problem with Pixar’s Luxo Jr. character until they decided to package a functional Luxo Jr. lamp with the Blu-ray edition of the movie Up. Another issue that doesn’t sit right with the lamp manufacturer is the addition of a six-foot animatronic Luxo Jr. at the Walt Disney World theme park.
Luxo fears the selling of Pixar’s Luxo Jr. will confuse their customs and result in “devastating damage to Luxo and dilute the goodwill which Luxo has built up.” Disney spokesman Jonathan Friedlander said the company hasn’t officially been served with the complaint and that they’re looking into the matter.
When the culprit is an awkward little lamp that makes you coo before every Pixar film, it’s difficult to put things into perspective. But, when you think about it, Luxo ASA has a solid point. Click here to take a look at a sampling of “Luxo Jr.” and watch the video below to see Walt Disney World’s animatronic Luxo Jr. in action.
