Walt Disney Co. said it’s prepared to take action to protect its intellectual property rights after performers dressed as Snow White and Captain America were sighted at Dalian Wanda Group Co.’s new theme park and entertainment complex in China.



“We vigorously protect our intellectual property and will take action to address infringement,” the company said in an e-mailed statement Monday in response to Bloomberg News queries about the characters, who resembled ones from Disney. “Our characters and stories have delighted generations, these illegal and substandard imitations unfortunately disappoint all who expect more.”

But when that same conglomerate, Dalian Wanda Group Co., opened a rival theme park over the weekend, visitors were greeted by workers dressed as Disney characters, including Captain America, Snow White and Star Wars storm troopers.



In a statement issued Monday, Disney said it has had a good relationship with Wanda Group’s film distribution business but added:



“We are perplexed that [Wanda Chief Executive Wang Jianlin] would choose to do public battle with us, or attempt to undermine our business in any way.”



In an earlier comment to Bloomberg News, Disney vowed to take action to protect its intellectual property rights.



“We vigorously protect our intellectual property and will take action to address infringement,” Disney told Bloomberg News.