3 men announced that Disney Enterprises, Inc. filched their idea for Christmas dog Lawsuit claims 'Santa Paws' character was used illegally in two movies. Disney is a Grinch that stole Christmas ideas, according to a federal lawsuit filed here Tuesday that accuses the entertainment giant of illicitly using three men's concept of a dog called Santa Paws in two movies. The plaintiffs allege copyright infringement and make other related claims in regard to two Disney films: "Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws," from 2009, and last year's "The Search for Santa Paws." They are the ninth and 10th films in the "Air Bud" franchise. The suit claims that Ray Hartner, of Brentwood; Ed Corno, of Chesterfield; and Richard Kearney, of Nashville, Tenn., created a similar tale in 1991, titled "Santa Paws," as a side endeavor to their advertising agency work. It seeks unspecified damages. Disney and other defendants could not be reached for comment. In the men's illustrated children's story, a dog named Paws is given to Santa Claus as a gift and saves Christmas despite the efforts of an evil female villain with a magical icicle who weaves icy spells. She turns out to be Santa's bitter sister. The manuscript was shopped around at the time but ultimately languished, according to the plaintiffs' lawyer, Albert Watkins. In the 2009 Disney film, Santa and his dog, Santa Paws, watch as a magical Christmas icicle begins melting, threatening to end the holiday. Santa Paws' son, Puppy Paws, joins the other "Air Bud" dogs in an adventure that ultimately stops the thawing. In a 2010 prequel, Santa is in the hospital after a car accident, and his friend Paws enlists a young orphan to save him. In that film, the villain is a strict lady who runs the orphanage and who burns toys and forbids pets. The suit claims the films have pulled some dialogue and action verbatim from the children's story, and also contain "eerily similar uses of a magical icicle and . Santa's new dog who saves Christmas in spite of the best efforts of a domineering and holiday-spiritless female antagonist." In addition to Disney Enterprises, the suit names as defendants Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a Disney subsidiary, and Key Pix Productions, which assisted in the filming, as well as two KPP executives. Also named is William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, a talent agency, and two of its agents, John Ferriter and Barry Jeffery.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. Presents at 4th Annual 3D Entertainment Summit, Sep-20-2011 . Venue: Hollywood & Highland Center, Hollywood, California, United States. Speakers: Gabrielle Chamberlin, Senior Vice President of Product Management.