Boy wizard Harry Potter is set to face off against his greatest foe yet in ther shape of a young Indian boy called Hari Puttar.
Warner Bros has filed a lawsuit against Mumbai-based Mirchi Movies because of the title of their latest film, Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors, about a youngster who moves to England and embarks on an adventure involving a missing microchip.
Hari is a popular Indian name, while Puttar means 'son' in Punjabi, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner considers the name a little too similar to their own Harry Potter franchise.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," Warners spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln explained. "Warner Bros. values and protects intellectual property rights. However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."
In response, Mirchi CEO Munish Purii told THR "Since the case is sub-judice we can't comment as of now. However, 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.
Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors is set to hit Indian screens on September 12, while Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be released worldwide in July.
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Warner Bros has filed a lawsuit against Mumbai-based Mirchi Movies because of the title of their latest film, Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors, about a youngster who moves to England and embarks on an adventure involving a missing microchip.
Hari is a popular Indian name, while Puttar means 'son' in Punjabi, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner considers the name a little too similar to their own Harry Potter franchise.
"We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," Warners spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln explained. "Warner Bros. values and protects intellectual property rights. However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation."
In response, Mirchi CEO Munish Purii told THR "Since the case is sub-judice we can't comment as of now. However, 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.
Hari Puttar - A Comedy of Terrors is set to hit Indian screens on September 12, while Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be released worldwide in July.
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