Warner Bros sues Indian studio over Hari Puttar film
Warner Bros studios sues Indian studio over film entitled Hari Puttar
Tuesday, 26, Aug 2008 08:51
Warner Bros studios has taken legal action against an Indian studio which plans to release a film entitled Hari Puttar - A Comedy Of Terrors.
The Hollywood giant has recently commenced proceeding against Mirchi Movies, of Mumbai, over the film in question, feeing its name is too similar to that of the Harry Potter franchise.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," Warner Bros spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Warner Bros values and protects intellectual property rights.
"However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."
Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors, tells of a ten-year-old boy who moves to England with his parents and becomes involved in a plot concerning a secret microchip and is set for a September 12th release in India.
Munish Purii, the chief executive of Mirchi Movies, said he was unable to offer significant comment as the case is sub-judice.
However, he added: "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.
"In my opinion, I don't think our title has any similarity or links with Harry Potter."
Warner Bros recently confirmed that the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the sixth film in the franchise, has been delayed by eight months until July 2009.
The movie will now spearhead Warner Bros' lineup of summer films.