Are The Costumed Grifters Of Times Square Diluting Disney's Brand?

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As Archbishop Dolan once eloquently said: "Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America—not in China, or North Korea." This means that people are free to lick their shoes on the subway or dress up in costumes of popular TV and movie characters, roaming Times Square for lucrative photo opportunities with hapless tourists. But are these freedom-loving entrepreneurs breaking the law and diluting the brands of these fine american companies?

An intellectual property lawyer tells the Post that if the people wearing suits to look like Elmo, Buzz Lightyear, Mickey Mouse and Spiderman "did not get authority to do this from Disney and Sesame Street, then they are definitely in violation of several laws." We know of no law that prohibits bringing joy to small children for a "donation," which is "why most of the characters don't speak or ask for money. Instead, they just shake the bag at their side."

The Post spoke with "Elmo," who turned out to be "a Peruvian named John," who said that "the costume's were being rented by a guy named 'George' from Union City, New Jersey." After sharing this tidbit with the reporter, "A Fantasia-themed Mickey Mouse who was nearby took off his head and gave threatening looks." Great, Elmo. You broke Omerta, so presumably the next suit he gets from Union City will be made out of cement.

"Elmo" went on to say that the characters "make around $500 working Monday through Friday," and $300 on the weekend, which works out to be roughly $38K a year, presumably none of which goes to deodorant. These characters may seem like seedy byproducts of a tourism industry run amok, but someday, a Times Square Elmo might save your life.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on June 19, 2011 1:35 PM

Comments [rss]

TRST

The real problem is you'll find 6 Elmos, 3 Sponge Bobs, 2 Mickeys and 4 Cookie Monsters all within 2 blocks of each other on 6th Avenue. It's like going to a department store and finding 5 Santas sitting next to each other to work the line faster. It destroys what magic there could be considering the shoddy quality of these knockoffs.

dogbertt

And all I ever see are Elmo and Minnie Mouse. Where the fsck is Buzz Lightyear hiding himself?

PicoPhreako69

"Where the fsck is Buzz Lightyear hiding himself?"

Why, 'To Infinity.... and BEYOND!', of course.

dogbertt

I marvel at the rubes who pay to have their pictures taken with these miscreants.

npfiii

Wow.
Elmo truly is the Kofi Annan of Disney.

Spirit of 76

The Spider-Man rickshaw driver had better watch his back. Still, this seems like a relatively easy way to make money without actually doing work, except in the brutal heat of summer. $38k per year, presumably tax-free, is nothing to sneeze at.

BTW, Christopher Robbins, they're not grifters. Grifters are swindlers, folks who steal from you. I think the term you're looking for is "buskers," who rely on you to willingly give them money.

valeriob

I'd stick with grifters. They are personally swindling, stealing, and profiting off of tourists using trademarked characters and costumes. If they were not wearing the costumes and asking for money it wouldn't work as well,
They're almost as bad as the thugs peddling CDs demanding 'donations' with packing MAC11's.