Pixar and Disney sued by Luxo

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Sep 6, 2009 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

"Luxo Jr." is the hopping desk lamp that has been the mascot for Pixar since 1986. John Lasseter used his own Luxo desk lamp as a model for a short computer-animated movie, which was later nominated for an Academy Award.

Luxo, a Norwegian lamp maker, filed a federal lawsuit against Pixar and Disney saying their use of the name Luxo is infringing on the company's copyright. Disney-Pixar is including a limited edition "Luxo Jr." lamp along with Blue-ray discs of "Up." Luxo is also upset about the six-foot animatronic Luxo Jr. attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, "Oslo-based Luxo said in the complaint that the Luxo name hadn't been used on Pixar and Disney products until now and that sale of the Pixar lamps would cause devastating damage to Luxo and dilute the goodwill which Luxo has built up."

Updated 11/9/09: The parties have reached an undisclosed settlement and the lawsuit has been withdrawn.