The BBC is reporting that Warner Bros. has filed suit against a film company in India for infringing on intellectual property rights in titling an upcoming movie: “Hari Puttar – A Comedy Of Terrors.” A spokesperson confirmed that a lawsuit was filed against Mirchi Movies and is expected to be heard before the Bombay High Court. According to the article, WB felt the title was ‘too similar to that of its world famous young wizard.’ Deborah Lincoln, a spokesperson for WB, is quoted as saying: “We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar.” Munish Purii, from Mirchi Movies, is also quoted in the article, relating that “We registered the Hari Puttar title in 2005 and it’s unfortunate that Warner has chosen to file a case so close to our film’s release.” The report goes on to note in regards to the title of the film, ‘Hari is a popular Indian name while Puttar means son in Punjabi.’ “Hari Puttar – A Comedy Of Terrors” is slated for release in India on September 12.
Second to post? It doesn’t matter… I really believe that is absurd: WB can’t be that paranoic to try to stop a movie that coincidentially sounds like HP. What is going on with them? Considering that I am not upset at them (that much) beause of the movie delay. I promise. I hope the indian producers win the case. Pickles. Bye…
Geez WB just thinks they’re god and they can do whatever they please. The title has nothing to do with the boy wizard and like they said Puttar is a word in their language. Gimmie a break…
Wow really WB? Like I’d understand if it was a complete rip off of the Harry Potter series but the name?! It sounds nothing like a magical movie. Comedy of Terror. This is getting really pathetic. I have never really been a WB fan but lately any desire to have any part of their company even if that means missing the last movies, well I will stop if more of this happens.
Give the movie a break, the name is similar. Its not even the same. Who cares. Next you know Miss Potter will be infringing on the Harry Potter franchise because Potter is in the title. Really leave it alone. If Indiana Jones can go chasing after the Philosopher Stone than Hari Puttar and go experience a few humourous terrors. Excellent work though advertising this movie, when this is all done I am sure Hari Puttar will be huge.
This is so stupid the movie has nothing to do with Harry Potter it’s not even a spoof it’s an entirely different film and it’s not like they took the name and were like ‘lets pick two words that sound as close as they can to a popular franchise’ the picked a title that means something to them in their native language. If WB wins this ‘case’ then that means American companies that make films with titles that happen to sound like films that came first in other countries can get sued for the same reason just as easily, it makes no sense…
hahahaha hari puttar. it really is a pity that warner bros didn’t pick up on it sooner to give a chance to the other company to change the name.
but really, is an indian film going to do anything to harry potter? no.
Way to look culturally ignorant, WB. The word “puttar” is sprinkled throughout the Punjabi-themed film “Bend it Like Beckham”. WB doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
Well bec majec… maybe it is goin to do something for HP now! All bad publicity is still publicity right? Now I wanna see Hari Puttar!! XD
But really… though the name is similar, that does seem a little too harsh of WB.
Really WB dudes! Hari Putter is set to september, so you don’t need to worry about it stealing focus from Harry Potter… Half Blood Prince will only release on July… didn’t your hear?
WB has a history of lawsuits, they have several departments on top of their regular watchers of copyright infringers for franchises such as Harry Potter and Batman. Seriously, this is nothing new. I am suprised people are shocked or upset about it. WB has done things like this for years. Its their way of making sure they are protected. It will probably settle or go away like most cases.
But with all the problems with copyright infringment in the past few years – especially in India.. they can’t take a chance.
fantastic, WB. make it sound like someone else is screwing up.
so i know some ppl that work at WB headquarters, and they’ve all said that (most likely) ALL the movies dates will change.
as in, HPB in 2009, DH1 in 2010, and DH2 in 2011. i kno, it sucks. and the only reason why they’re really changing the dates is because they think they’ll make more money in the summer. AND their also expecting another writers’ strike soon, so they need to move the movie dates so that they’ll make atleast some $ during the strike. >_<
You have to admit that the name Hari Puttar is funny…..I don’t think that if this parody had been in the US or UK it would have been a problem, but since it is in India I think that they got worried that the people there might not see it as so. If it is true that the name was registered in 2005, then WB has a new reputation to do everything late in the game and devastate everybody.
look now warner bros is trying to move another movies release date to July