Portland Pickles Sue Disney Over Trademark Infringement

The Portland Pickles, a collegiate summer-league baseball team based in Portland, Oregon, have filed a federal lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company alleging trademark infringement over Disney’s animated series "Win or Lose," which features a fictional team named the Peaks Valley Pickles. The Pickles claim that Disney’s use of the name, mascot, and merchandise closely resembles their own brand identity established since 2016, causing marketplace confusion and diluting their trademark. The team seeks unspecified damages and a permanent injunction to prevent Disney from using the name or related branding on the show or merchandise. Disney has been accused of leveraging its market power to appropriate a smaller brand’s identity, with fans reportedly mistaking the real team for being affiliated with the Disney series. "Win or Lose" is Pixar's first original long-form animated series, focusing on a co-ed middle school softball team preparing for a championship game, and it premiered on Disney+ in February 2025. The Portland Pickles’ lawsuit highlights the tension between a local sports team defending its established brand and a global entertainment company’s creative use of similar motifs.