MyLeaky Login

Join the largest Harry Potter Social Network on the Web! | FAQ

In the News

Followup: Indian Court Rules Against WB in "Hari Puttar" Case

Legal
Posted by: Sue
September 22, 2008, 02:06 PM

A followup today regarding Warner Brothers and a legal case they had brought, seeking to stop the release of a film from India called “Hari Puttar.” The BBC is reporting the High Court in Delhi, India has rejected the suit filed by WB, saying “Warner Bros could have brought the case three years ago and said readers could easily distinguish Hari Puttar from Harry Potter. Mirchi Movies, the makers of the Bollywood film, said Hari Puttar had no connection with the Harry Potter movies. Mirchi told the court that Hari was a popular Indian name, and Puttar meant “son” in Hindi and Punjabi.”

The article describes the film in question as telling “the story of a 10-year-old boy who moves to England with his family and becomes involved in a plan to save the world.” The ruling means the film will be released later this month. The piece also noted “The case has been dismissed. The court said that Warner Bros had known the title of the film since 2005 and had delayed bringing the case to court until the last moment,” lawyer Pratibha Singh was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

The Delhi High Court also said that consumers who read the Harry Potter books, written by JK Rowling, were sufficiently educated to know that Hari Puttar was different, the agency quoted the lawyer as saying.”

Thanks James.

Previous Article | Next Article Browse all Recent Legal News

28 Comments

suvisinha

yay!!!!! good decision i must say!! first 2 comment!!

Posted by suvisinha on September 22, 2008, 02:27 PM report to moderator
Billy

Finally, a little justice. I’m happy the high court ruled against WB in this case, because, well, WB had no case at all.

Posted by Billy on September 22, 2008, 02:29 PM report to moderator
scurvy_cur

I definitely think that the decision was right. I dont see how the film can be expected to make any profit off the back of Harry Potter it quite obviously has nothing to do with it and they’re right in saying we should be able to work that out for ourselves!

Posted by scurvy_cur on September 22, 2008, 02:51 PM report to moderator
Anita

I’m quite happy with the decision. WB went a little too far with this case.

Posted by Anita on September 22, 2008, 02:59 PM report to moderator
Jason

Good decision. WB shoud dedicate more effort to getting its movies out on time, and less on frivolous lawsuits. I’m getting a little tired of the flurry of lawsuits related to Harry Potter things in general. The franchise has already earned billions for those conerned. It all gets a little too grasping and obsessive after while. Enough, already. Chill, before you start alienating fans.

Posted by Jason on September 22, 2008, 03:07 PM report to moderator
DL_Hector

I completely agree with you guys, there was no case this time. What’s next? Will WB try to forbid everyone of us to use words like hairy or plotter?

I do wonder, though, if we are responding like this because we’re still a bit (or very) angry about their moving the film till next year…

But in any case, it’s good they didn’t win this one. Serves them right.

Posted by DL_Hector on September 22, 2008, 03:09 PM report to moderator
Official WB Lawyer type guy

To DL_Hector:

This message board post is to inform you that your use of the words ‘Hairy Plotter’ is in direction violation of fair use copyright laws. We believe that your post using the phrase ‘Hairy Plotter’ attempts to gain popularity, comments, and potential ad placement revenue on the back of our extremely popular and successful ‘Harry Potter’ franchise.

I’m afraid if you don’t discontinue your use of the words ‘Hairy’ and ‘Plotter’ we will be forced to sue you, your family, your pets, your closest friend, the guy down the street, your 2nd grade teacher, and probably a librarian or two for good measure.

We, at WB, are merciful people and will gladly let you use the words, ‘accordion, freeway, and slipshod.’

Sincerely, The Laughing Man…er, I mean, Official WB Lawyer Type guy.

Posted by Official WB Lawyer type guy on September 22, 2008, 03:25 PM report to moderator
MissHagrid

Hooray for common sense!

Posted by MissHagrid on September 22, 2008, 03:25 PM report to moderator
jaye

justice :)

they should have done something back in 2005, at least then they wouldn’t look so damn pathetic! agreed with DL_hector, they’re taking it too far with court cases.. especially this one.

supprised they haven’t tried to sue the back sides of the “pocket puppet pals” that post they’re vids on youtube :) they’re hilarious, even if i am a HP/JKR fan, i still find those videos so funny, even if they’re supposed to be taking the mick..

_ (h5) for the court who decided this!

and is it just me or is this not the full post i’m reading.. the end kinda jumps from ” the agency quoted the lawyer as saying.” ” to “Thanks James.”

:S CONFUSED?!

or it doesn’t make sence anyway!!

...hmm..

Posted by jaye on September 22, 2008, 03:30 PM report to moderator
jenniferjay

haha “Official WB Lawyer Type Guy”

‘probably a librarin or two for good measure’ lmao!

aah your comment made me laugh :]

Posted by jenniferjay on September 22, 2008, 03:34 PM report to moderator
Jenni

Stick it to WB – they deserve it!!

Posted by Jenni on September 22, 2008, 04:17 PM report to moderator
Miss Freewind

I am extremely happy because I really hate WB.

Posted by Miss Freewind on September 22, 2008, 05:20 PM report to moderator
Athena

Ha HA! I knew this would never pass! For heaven’s sake, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

‘Course, it doesn’t matter to WB that ‘Hari Puttar’ actually means something in Hindi. So apparently Hindi is a copyright infringement. But then, the only language WB knows is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Posted by Athena on September 22, 2008, 05:29 PM report to moderator
Miss Freewind

I am extremely happy because I really hate WB.

Posted by Miss Freewind on September 22, 2008, 05:30 PM report to moderator
Eva Hedwig

I am happy WB lost. Even if I wouldn’t be anti-WB for what they done to HBP, I would be happy about it.

HP is Jo’s tale not WB, they go too far and thinking themselves much too important. They are like a cook feeling himself owner of the restaurant where he works.

If this +++ company is so crazy about money and fims, they should do it in the’re own place.

Bahhh, trying to avoid another moviemaker to actually give his film to the public.  If WB likes to hide their films, I am glad other do like to share them in cinema
Posted by Eva Hedwig on September 22, 2008, 06:09 PM report to moderator
You must be logged in to MyLeaky to comment. Please click here to log in.
Why is Leaky YELLOW? Because Hufflepuff WON the House Cup! LeakyCon Live Album! The best wizard rock from LeakyCon on a two-disc set! Introducing MyLeaky! Your Harry Potter Social Network
PotterCast Interviews Jo Rowling! Click here to Listen! The Books Everything...Half-Blood Prince...and the rest of the HP Films

Scribbulus Essay Project

Issue 26 - Nov. 2009

Scribbulus is THE place for Leaky Cauldron readers to submit their essays and opinion pieces!
See more over at Scribbulus!
Cast spells and chat with your friends at the Chamber of Chat!

Guess That Book

"He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know."

Learn to knit your own 'Weasley Sweater'. Learn to brew your own 'Butterbeer'. Find out how at Leaky Crafts!

Introducing MyLeaky! Your Harry Potter Social Network Hosted by Idologic Inc.