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.
agreed with prongs.
one day we’ll say “harry potter” out loud and all our money will mysteriously vanish out of banks. geez i think i’ll call him the boy who lived, just incase.
I think the name Hari Puttar might have been kept intentionally to relate it with Harry Potter and win some speculation. The story of the movie does not have anything to do with magic, but if we read the story (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1255873/plotsummary) it seems more like a rip-off (similar to Home Alone somewhere, not sure). In Indian “Punjabi” language, Puttar means son, and Hari is a common first name (came from name of God Shiva). And more, in India, sometimes Harry Potter is joked as Hari Puttar (search on Google Images).
Though this does not mean what WB is doing is right, the Hari Puttar people are not taking any plot or characters related to Harry Potter.
wow, another bad move WB.
Hari putter means, ‘hari my son’ and if u watch the promo here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPE6F5yQTD0
you will see that it has nothing to do with HP but is actually most like the movie “home alone” but bollywood style.
How about—when we all finally go see the HP movie, we wear pig snouts? You can get them at places like novelty stores, and they’ll probably be around at Hallowee’en.
In that way we can make the statement that we’re going to see a movie made by a bunch of greedy pigs. :)
ok, i love in india and let me tell you that here the ‘Hari Puttar’ joke is quite old. Old punjabi indians joke about it alot.
The movie name is based on this joke but the movie has absolutely nothing to do with the HP. its not even a parody or a spoof. Warner Brothers really cannot do this. Have they NOT seen scary movie?
Does anyone have any proof beyond youtube.com that WB is suing because of the title of the movie?
Honestly, guys this isn’t WB’s first run with a blow out movie…I think their legal advisors are a bit beyond our scope of understanding law suits.
This is their job to protect their creation and honestly, “Bollywood” how are you not trying to Americanize? Why don’t you create your own name for it; create your own name for yourself?
er.. “Ginny” yes we do.. hellooo, read the article your posting on. “The BBC is reporting”.. doubt they get their proof from youtube darl’ ;)
and isn’t bollywood like supposed to be a kinda joke, like hollywood / bollywood and now i’m sure theres a show called dollywood (?) as in dolly parton’s show, or something.
it’s a joke. people do it all the time …
I think it’s a huge disappointment that the movie has been put back till July! What on earth are they thinking! Harry Potter is a Winter blockbuster not to be left till the summer! Besides I think it has more of a wintery/Christmas feel to it and is one of the most exciting events to the lead up of Christmas! Who on earth suggested the summer. Plus it’s done why wait…..very sad and hugely disappointing!
It is hugely disappointing. I suggest we push back the same way they acted—financially.
I have already chosen to not see two Warner Bros. movies. If there’s one I want to see, I will purposefully delay seeing it so they don’t get those big “first weekend” numbers.
But that will do no good unless I tell them what I’m doing. I don’t think we can change their minds but we can communicate our actions to them. Here is their email address:
"Oooh, Crackpot's feeling cranky," said Peeves, pursuing Harry along the corridor, leering as he zoomed along above him. "What is it this time, my fine Potty friend? Hearing voices? Seeing visions? Speaking in" -- Peeves blew a gigantic raspberry -- [i]"t
agreed with prongs. one day we’ll say “harry potter” out loud and all our money will mysteriously vanish out of banks. geez i think i’ll call him the boy who lived, just incase.
WB are lawsuit-aholics.