Disney Plans to Shut Down the Sale of Avenger and Princess-Themed Bulletproof Backpacks
As a result of the mass shootings in US, a new cottage industry has sprung up, bringing forth bullet-proof backpacks. TuffyPacks rolled out its latest models, which include a Disney princess theme featuring Jasmine from Aladdin, Cinderella, Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Rapunzel from Tangled but without Disney's authorisation.
ATuffyPacks, a Houston-based manufacturer of bulletproof backpacks, has introduced backpacks with brightly-coloured picture of the Avengers with Captain America and his famous shield front and centre. In the midst of mass shootings and gun violence in America especially with the recent incidents of El Paso, Tex., Dayton, Ohio and Gilroy, Calif., the TuffyPacks shield is designed to keep children safe from handgun bullets. Cameron Boyce’s Disney Channel Co-stars Share Heartwarming Posts on Instagram Ahead of Descendants 3 Release.
According to reports, TuffyPacks recently rolled out its latest models, which include a Disney princess theme featuring Jasmine from Aladdin, Cinderella, Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Rapunzel from Tangled. Although the manufacturer has now run into a problem considering after Disney released a statement saying that it has not authorised any of the designs for the product.
A statement released by Disney says, “None of these products were authorized by Disney, and we are demanding that those behind this stop using our characters or our other intellectual property to promote sales of their merchandise."
Speaking about the same, TuffyPack’s founder and CEO Steve Naremore said," “Our inserts are black and look kind of tactical and ballistic. We use licensed fabric, to try to make them more kid-friendly.”For now, the items are only available on TuffyPacks’ website. Disney's Minnie Mouse Dubbing Star Russi Taylor Passes Away at 75.
The business of bullet-proof stuff for children isn’t new. After the Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown shooting in 2012, a cottage industry seemed to have sprung up according to Hollywood Reporter. There were other companies offering Disney-themed bulletproof backpacks, but they seemed to have disappeared now.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 08:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).