Word is out that it is now apparently illegal to use the popular Swahili phrase, “Hakuna Matata” without the approval of the World Disney Company.
On August 8th, 1994, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for ‘hakuna matata’ under the serial number of 74558335.
The slogan was first used by Disney in the 1994 film, Lion King when Timon and Pumba sang a song with the phrase in it.
Hakuna Matata which is a Kiswahili slogan means no problem, no worries. The slogan is widely used in East Africa, especially the coastal region as a response to greetings.
Reports now claim that Disney Enterprises, a subsidiary of World Disney Company has been granted exclusive rights over the phrase. Disney Enterprises, Inc. operates as the merchandising and licensing division of Walt Disney Productions.
The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Burbank, California.
Several of Disneyland’s cartoons contain the said slogan and it therefore makes sense that the company would seek trademark protection for the same. However the question remains, what happens to the famous ‘hakuna matata’ t-shirts?
Is it also illegal to wear them?
The move by Disney comes just a few days after they released the official teaser trailer for the Lion King movie set to be released next year in July.