New York: Hollywood studio Warner Bros are suing Indian producers in relation to a movie they believe infringes the copyright of the Harry Potter franchise.
The Warner Bros have filed a lawsuit against Mumbai-based studio Mirchi Movies, who are set to release a film entitled Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors.
Releasing on September 12, the film follows the life of a 10-year-old Indian boy who moves to Britain, reports contactmusic.com.
Warner Bros believe the name is too similar to the title character of the hugely popular wizard franchise, whose latest film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been pushed back for release until next year.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," said a spokesperson for Warner Bros.
The spokesperson added: "Warner Bros values and protects intellectual property rights. However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."
But Mirchi Movies denies any copyright conflict.
"We registered the Hari Puttar title in 2005, and it is unfortunate that Warner Bros 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," said Munish Purii, chief executive officer, Mirchi Movies.
The case is listed for hearing in Bombay High Court Monday. Next Page: Hari Puttar producer to go ahead
PAGE_BREAKi>Hari Puttar producer to go ahead
Mirchi Movies' bosses are planning to go ahead with the release of their forthcoming children's comedy Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors despite a lawsuit filed by Hollywood studio Warner Bros alleging infringement of their copyright of the Harry Potter franchise.
Munish Purii, COO, Mirchi Movies said that Warner Bros had come out with the suit just three weeks before the film's release.
"The matter is subjudice. This will go on for a while and we plan to tackle it like any other court case. We are very close to the film's release," Purii told IANS over telephone from Mumbai Monday.
Warner Bros believes that the film's name is too similar to the title character of the hugely popular wizard franchise Harry Potter.
Releasing Sep 12 worldwide, the film follows the life of a 10-year-old Indian boy who moves to Britain with his parents.
Feeling lonely and unappreciated, Hari makes friends with a cartoon character from his fantasy world, and ends up being a real-life hero.
"It is a fun film and a family entertainer. The film has nothing in common with the 'Harry Potter' franchise as the story suggests. The Hari Puttar name has been in the news and has appeared at places since the last 18 months.
"It talks about the freedom of a child when he is left alone in the house with his cousin and the funny situations that follow when two burglars try getting into the house to get hold of a chip that his father has been secretly working on," said Purii.
Directed by Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli, Hari Puttar stars Zain Khan, Swini Khara, Jackie Shroff, Saurabh Shukla, Vijay Raaz and Sarika.
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