France - Disneyland Paris has taken legal action against the fansite OutsideEars, operated by an anonymous user known as Ally.
On July 22, 2024, the Paris-based law firm Lussan, representing Euro Disney Associés SAS, sent a cease and desist letter to Ally. The letter accuses the fansite of violating trade secrets by publishing unauthorized information about Disneyland Paris’s future projects and internal documents.
The letter details several instances where OutsideEars allegedly leaked sensitive information. These include publishing visuals for the Studio 1 / Theater District project, releasing phased construction plans for the same project, sharing information about the prototypes of vehicles for the Rapunzel attraction, and disclosing details of a new Alice in Wonderland show at Walt Disney Studios just before the official announcement.
Legal Basis and Demands
The letter cites Article L.151-1 of the French Commercial Code, which protects trade secrets. It argues that the information disclosed by Ally was not accessible to individuals outside of those familiar with Disneyland Paris’s internal affairs and was subject to measures to maintain its confidentiality. The firm asserts that the information disclosed falls under intellectual property protections and trade secrets.
Lussan demands that Ally cease all further dissemination of such information and warns of potential legal consequences, including penalties for theft and receipt of stolen information under Articles 311-1 and 321-1 of the French Penal Code. A bailiff has also documented Ally’s previous publications to support potential legal actions.
Ally’s Response
In response to the legal threat, Ally posted a series of tweets defending their actions. Ally emphasized that they never profited from their activities and operated purely out of passion for Disneyland Paris.
They argued that a building permit, once under review, is no longer covered by trade secrets. Ally also stated that their use of the information was non-commercial and informational, challenging the notion that it constituted counterfeiting.
Ally further claimed that there was no prejudice to Disneyland Paris from the information shared and stressed their commitment to informing the fan community without causing harm to the park.
Insidears
The term “Outsidears” is a nod to the official fan club of Disneyland Paris, InsidEars. InsidEars is an exclusive community of Disneyland Paris enthusiasts, often including influencers, bloggers, and superfans who are invited to special events, receive insider news, and get early access to park information. However, the privilege comes with the responsibility of maintaining a positive image of the park, aligning with the club’s policies to ensure all shared content remains favorable and in line with the official narrative.
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