Disney Settles Major Lawsuit After Controversial Disney+ Series Sparks Outrage
When a new series drops on Disney+, fans often get excited to see fresh content from one of their favorite entertainment giants. From new animated shows to live-action spectacles, Disney+ is constantly unveiling new projects that promise to captivate and entertain. But with new content, sometimes comes unexpected controversy.
One such instance came with Pixar’s Win or Lose, a series that, despite its heartfelt story about a young softball team, quickly became embroiled in issues that many did not see coming. The controversy began before the series was even released and only grew in intensity after it premiered.
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The latest twist? A massive copyright lawsuit settlement with the Portland Pickles, a local baseball team whose mascot was allegedly used in the show without permission.
The announcement of Win or Lose in 2020 created a buzz, especially given its focus on different characters within a softball team, allowing audiences to connect with each team member on a personal level. However, just a few months after its release in February 2025, it was hit with a lawsuit from the Portland Pickles, accusing Disney of using their mascot’s likeness without permission.
The Pickles claimed that the character of Dillon Pickles, their beloved mascot, was so similar to a character in the series that it was essentially a copyright infringement.
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Before the lawsuit, Pixar had already found itself at the center of controversy due to a character change. Kai, originally portrayed as a transgender character, was replaced with a cisgender character, sparking outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. Critics accused Disney of trying to appease more conservative viewers, and Chanel Stewart, the transgender actress initially cast to voice Kai, expressed her dismay at the change, calling it “very disheartening.” Despite this, Stewart remained involved with the show, although her character’s storyline was altered.
Then, in May 2025, the Portland Pickles—known for their mascot Dillon Pickles—filed a lawsuit against Disney and Pixar, alleging that Dillon’s likeness was copied and used without permission in the series. The lawsuit came to light just weeks after the series premiered, and the Pickles voiced their frustration through social media.
“We regret to inform you that Dillon T. Pickle is absolutely devastated by the release of this series. He looked up to Disney, believed in the magic, and truly thought they stood for joy. But not a call, not an email, nor even a half-hearted fax. No DM, no Snap, no carrier pigeon with a tiny scroll asking for permission to use our marks, or collaborate.”
BREAKING: Disney & Pixar has broken Dillon’s heart 💔 pic.twitter.com/CDlBdKixLh
— Portland Pickles (@picklesbaseball) February 24, 2025
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This humorous yet pointed statement from the Pickles set the tone for a more serious legal battle. The team accused Disney of brazenly appropriating their brand identity and profiting from it without any form of consent. Their mascot, Dillon, had been a staple of the Portland Pickles for years, and they argued that Disney had taken advantage of the name “Pickles” because it was catchy, with no regard for the community the team represented.
In response, Disney and Pixar were quick to settle the lawsuit with the Portland Pickles, although the terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed. The details of the agreement, which may include monetary compensation and a possible injunction, are expected to be finalized within 30 days.
While the public is waiting for full transparency on the terms, the rapid resolution of the case was surprising, given Disney’s history of long-running copyright disputes.
“Disney’s actions were not only intentional but brazen, leveraging their outsized market power to appropriate a brand identity with a decade of goodwill and fan devotion behind it,” the Portland Pickles’ legal team argued in their complaint.
While Disney was eager to settle the case quickly, the speed at which the lawsuit was resolved has raised questions. In the past, Disney has faced high-profile legal battles, including one related to Moana (2016) in which the company was accused of copying elements from a competing film. In that case, the lawsuit is still ongoing, and Disney continues to defend its position.
Disney Dining will continue to follow this case and update you with more details as they become available.
What are your thoughts on the Win or Lose series and the Portland Pickles lawsuit? Do you think Disney should have done more to address the concerns raised by the team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
