For those interested in this story...
Judge: No Proof Disney Stole Epcot Idea
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, AP Business Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accused the Walt Disney Co. of stealing the idea for the Epcot theme park.
U.S. District Judge Patricia Fawsett ruled there was no evidence Disney officials had access to a painting drawn by Mark Waters, whose estate sued the company in 2002 alleging infringement of intellectual property rights and breach of implied contract.
"Plaintiff ultimately failed to carry its burden of proof in this case," Fawsett wrote in the Friday order granting summary judgment.
Disney spokesman Bill Warren said Monday that Epcot idea was developed by Disney creative executives over several decades.
Waters' estate was represented by Orrin Monroe Corwin, who was Waters' neighbor and caregiver in his later years. His attorney, John Stemberger, said the family was disappointed with the ruling and that a decision to appeal has not been made.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure this case continues," Stemberger said. Waters died in 1997.
The lawsuit contended that Waters rendered a painting in the early 1960s of Miniature Worlds, a theme park idea concept that was the brainchild of Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Jaffray, who knew Waters from being stationed in Hawaii. Jaffray claimed he presented the idea and the Miniature World painting to Disney officials during a meeting in 1962 or 1963, but they rejected the idea of a theme park based on international villages and returned the drawing and other materials several months later.
Epcot opened in 1982.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041116/ap_on_bi_ge/epcot_s_origins
Judge: No Proof Disney Stole Epcot Idea
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, AP Business Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. - A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accused the Walt Disney Co. of stealing the idea for the Epcot theme park.
U.S. District Judge Patricia Fawsett ruled there was no evidence Disney officials had access to a painting drawn by Mark Waters, whose estate sued the company in 2002 alleging infringement of intellectual property rights and breach of implied contract.
"Plaintiff ultimately failed to carry its burden of proof in this case," Fawsett wrote in the Friday order granting summary judgment.
Disney spokesman Bill Warren said Monday that Epcot idea was developed by Disney creative executives over several decades.
Waters' estate was represented by Orrin Monroe Corwin, who was Waters' neighbor and caregiver in his later years. His attorney, John Stemberger, said the family was disappointed with the ruling and that a decision to appeal has not been made.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure this case continues," Stemberger said. Waters died in 1997.
The lawsuit contended that Waters rendered a painting in the early 1960s of Miniature Worlds, a theme park idea concept that was the brainchild of Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Jaffray, who knew Waters from being stationed in Hawaii. Jaffray claimed he presented the idea and the Miniature World painting to Disney officials during a meeting in 1962 or 1963, but they rejected the idea of a theme park based on international villages and returned the drawing and other materials several months later.
Epcot opened in 1982.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041116/ap_on_bi_ge/epcot_s_origins
