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Disney sues carwash over their name - leaving owners devastated

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The owner fears the lawsuit will leave him out of budget
The owner fears the lawsuit will leave him out of budget

DISNEY is suing a carwash over their name.

Matias Jara, owner of Star Wash, has been embroiled in a frosty row with the giant franchise over his car cleaning service in Chile.

Employees often dress as ‘Star Wars’ characters qhiddqiuxiqzzprw
Employees often dress as ‘Star Wars’ charactersCredit: Reuters
A worker uses a payment machine at the themed car cleaning service 'Star Wash’
A worker uses a payment machine at the themed car cleaning service 'Star Wash’Credit: Reuters

The row unleashed when Matias tried to register his little car wash service in Santiago with a patent authority.

But in the process, he received the shocking news that the film production behind the Star Wars saga was suing him for plagiarism.

The Disney-owned company claimed that Star Wash could confuse motorists to think the service was part of their multibillion franchise.

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However, Matias is contesting the suit and claimed the two names are distinctive enough.

He added that Lucasfilm franchise only covers products such as toys, furniture and non-alcoholic drinks.

But it has no copyright over washing vehicles.

Devastated, he said: "Of course this lawsuit is affecting us. We're a small business and we're spending on things we hadn't budgeted for.

"We don't make movies or sell their products or anything like that."

Matias said the business name was given by his young daughter while on a family trip to the Disney themed park in the US.

Videos published on their social media show employees dressed as galactic characters - including Chewbacca.

Clips show Stormtrooper wiping down hoods, Cassian Andor wielding hosepipes and Darth Vader cleaning cloths.

The owner claims that his business is a "stellar" car wash providing an "experience from another galaxy".

The Star Wash owner took to social media to address the lawsuit, telling loyal customers: "We will stand strong. the force is with us."

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It comes as drivers were baffled over a wonky car wash in Wiltshire - with more set to be installed across the UK.

Wayne Munnelly has opened the lop-sided car wash near an Aldi store in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The businessman is building another wonky outlet in Northamptonshire - and wants to launch 100 more across Britain.

The Star Wars original trilogy had a huge and lasting impression on the film industry
The Star Wars original trilogy had a huge and lasting impression on the film industryCredit: Corbis

A flowerpot in the shape of a ‘Star Wars’ character is placed next to a sticker
A flowerpot in the shape of a ‘Star Wars’ character is placed next to a stickerCredit: Reuters
A worker dressed as a ‘Star Wars’ character pushes a vacuum cleaner
A worker dressed as a ‘Star Wars’ character pushes a vacuum cleanerCredit: Reuters

Salma Ouaguira

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