The Walt Disney Company is heading to court after being accused of infringing on patented technology behind its popular Disney Genie service. Here’s what we know about the ongoing legal battle.
A federal lawsuit filed by Agile Journeys, LLC, claims that Disney’s Genie service infringes on their patented technology for personalized itinerary generation. Agile Journeys, founded by two former Disney employees, Michael Eaton and William Redmann, developed a trip planning system in the early 2000s that was patented in 2007 to help theme park visitors navigate attractions and manage wait times.
The Genie+ Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit centers on a patent issued to Agile Journeys for a personalized itinerary generator. According to the inventors, the technology was designed to address the challenges theme park visitors face when planning their days, including ride wait times and event scheduling. Agile Journeys alleges that Disney’s Genie service, introduced in 2021, uses key aspects of their patented system without authorization.
Eaton and Redmann both worked at Disney in the 1990s. Eaton worked for Disney from 1990 to 1997, and Redmann from the early 1980s to 2000. After they left Disney, they say they conceived and developed this system. They argue that Disney had access to their technology but failed to obtain proper licensing before implementing it in Genie.
According to Florida Politics, Redmann had contacted the director of Walt Disney World’s New Technology group about their program, and they have email correspondence to back it up.
Legal Developments
The case has already cleared a critical hurdle, with a judge rejecting Disney’s motion to dismiss. A trial is scheduled for January 14, 2025, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board. If Agile Journeys prevails, Disney could face substantial financial repercussions, including potential damages in the millions.
Disney has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, but the case could have broader implications for how theme park technology is developed and patented.
Disney’s lawyer denies the allegations.
After Eaton and Redmann received a patent for their program, Disney also tried to patent something similar but was denied because of the existing patent.
After the patent lawsuit was initiated, Disney counter-sued the two men.
Disney denies wrongdoing but argues one of its employees helped develop it at the time and was named in the patent filing paperwork. They could be trying to claim ownership by saying they owned the work of one employee. Mattel tried a similar tactic with the creator of Bratz and MGA and lost.
Disney’s attorney also argues that the idea was not new, and other companies had similar programs in the early 2000s.
Disney allegedly made a lot of money on Genie+
Earlier this year, Disney’s Slack was hacked, and documents were leaked, including one that alleges Disney made almost three-quarters of a billion dollars on Genie+ from launch until last summer.
The resulting settlement could be significant if Agile Journeys, LLC wins.
What is Disney Genie?
Launched in 2021, Disney Genie and Genie+ are services within the Disney Parks app designed to enhance the guest experience. Genie provides personalized recommendations for attractions, dining, and entertainment based on real-time park data. Genie+, a paid add-on, allows guests to reserve Lightning Lane access to select attractions.
The service has been a key part of Disney’s efforts to modernize the theme park experience, making this legal dispute a potentially significant challenge.
You can learn more about this case at Florida Politics.
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Source: Florida Politics
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