The Toronto Star newspaper is reporting Canadian folk group The Wyrd Sisters, are once again pressing further legal action against Warner Bros. in the continuation of a $40 million lawsuit now seeking the “destruction of DVDs, compact discs, video games and other paraphernalia” which contain reference to the fictional “The Weird Sisters” band. This lawsuit targets “all visual performances, sound recordings and merchandise relating to the ‘Harry Potter Weird Sisters’ band” which would include the film’s soundtrack, various video games, Harry Potter Scene-It DVD game, and trading cards.
Originally, the Wyrd Sisters filed a lawsuit in mid-2005 to block the release of the “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” film due to their feeling an association with a fictional band named “The Weird Sisters,” a name which was only referenced in the books, had harmed their reputation. The musical act portrayed during a brief scene in the “Goblet of Fire” film, was never mentioned by name. Readers will remember the band’s original case of trademark infringement was unsuccessful and they were subsequently ordered to pay a judgement of $140,000 to WB for various legal fees. According to the article, this judgement has not yet been paid and notes a decision made by the court requiring a meeting of the band members with WB.
We are are taking legal action against you for the use of a phrase you stole from our client’s work. We enjoin you to remove all references to it from all your books and products or face the consequences.
Your humble servant,
I. M. Bogus
Legal counsel to the estate of W. A. Shakespeare
yeah i agree with Lindsay, i mean the band was never named in the movie, and why are the Wryd Sisters trying to get money from WB when it is probably going to be unseccesful. I mean if they were to sue anyone, it would be smarted to sue Jo becuase she was the one who created the Weird Sisters, although no one should sue Jo
“Consumers will assume that the smaller and less famous Canadian band is trying to take advantage of the Harry Potter fame by copying the Harry Potter band’s name when in fact the reverse is true,” reads her statement of claim.
Wow. That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. Especially the “reverse is true” bit.
Oh please… I thought we were done with these people…
I think they’re harming their own reputation, and that’s not WB’s fault. They’re coming across as lawsuit-happy and nasty.
I also like the fact that they’re suing WB, too, even though the Wierd Sisters band never appeared in anything except the books. Maybe they’re too scared to take on Jo. Or maybe they’re trying to capitalize on the fact that WB & Jo are in the middle of another lawsuit right now. To whoever the judge to this case is, please please please throw it out. I smell frivolity.
Wyrd was the goddess of fate. Honestly, this is mythology, not just Harry Potter. Obviously they are suing for money, but this is a fruitless case. Why not just sue the ancient Normans? :P
Posted by Christine Thinks This Is Freaking Stupid on March 03, 2008, 11:11 PM
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Just visited the Wyrd Sisters’s web site. In addition to portraying themselves as the victims, they also espouse conspiracy beliefs that the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11 was not a terrorist act but rather was set up by the US government—among other outrageous and crackpot theories.
This is so idiotic! The Weird Sisters were a group of witches in Macbeth, so yeah it makes sense that Jo would name a band in the wizarding world after them. Neither she nor the Wyrd Sisters own the term (I don’t think anyone does, as I don’t think Shakespeare made up the term and its original origin is most likely unknown-but don’t hold me to that.) It’s like trying to own the term “King Author.” This is one of those money-grabbing things that makes me so frustrated with people’s misuse of the court systems.
Sirius was lounging in his chair at his ease, tilting it back on two legs. He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance neither James's nor Harry's could ever have achieved, and a girl sitting behind him was ey
this is just stupid.