"South African lawyers sue Disney"

South African lawyers sue Disney for 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' copyright

JOHANNESBURG - South African lawyers are suing U.S. entertainment giant Walt Disney Co for infringement of copyright on The Lion Sleeps Tonight, the most popular song to emerge from Africa, the lawyers said on Friday.

If Disney loses, South African proceeds from its trademarks -- including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck -- could be seized by the courts, lawyers representing relatives of the song's composer said.

The lilting song, initially called Mbube, earned an estimated $15 million in royalties since it was written by Zulu migrant worker Solomon Linda in 1939, and featured in Walt Disney's "Lion King" movies.

However, Linda's impoverished family have only received about $15,000, the lawyers said.

Disney executives in South Africa were not immediately available for comment.
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