Disney sues couple on public assistance

ORLANDO, Fla., July 10 (UPI) -- Disney Enterprises Inc. has filed a million-dollar copyright-infringement suit against a Florida couple who receive public assistance, court papers show.

The suit filed in a federal court in Orlando, Fla., claims David Chaveco and Marisol Perez-Chaveco used "unauthorized reproductions" of Disney characters for their party entertainment company Kook Klown Party People, Inc., the Sentinel reported Thursday.

The company rents bounce-houses and specializes in custom-baked cakes and face painting, the Sentinel reported.

The entertainment also includes dressed up characters, using costumes the couple purchased on eBay.

One of the costumes is a blue donkey. Another is an orange tiger. Disney claims the two costumes are reproductions of Disney-owned characters Eeyore and Tigger.

The couple said they have done what Disney has asked, except for giving them the costumes to destroy. Instead, the couple sent the costumes back to the seller for a refund, because, "we needed the money," Perez-Chaveco said.

Disney officials declined comment, the Sentinel reported.