Potter lawsuit thrown out
2007-10-15 11:48
Calcutta - An Indian court has allowed organisers of a Hindu festival to use images from the best-selling Harry Potter franchise without permission after throwing out a $50 000 lawsuit by Warner Brothers, a defence attorney said on Saturday.
The litigation was filed in the New Delhi High Court days ago by Warner Bros on behalf of Penguin India and the author of Harry Potter, JK Rowling.
It claimed festival organisers violated India's Copyright Act by setting up a temporary shrine that mimicked Hogwarts School, where the fictional boy-wizard was taught his magic skills.
The shrine also featured still photos from the Harry Potter movies.
Each year for the festival, different neighbourhoods compete for visitors at their shrines to the goddess Durga by using images of movie or cricket stars to attract attention.
The lawsuit demanded compensation of $50 000 from the festival organisers.
No restrictions
A lawyer for the defendants, Subhasish Chakraborty, said the court ruled on Friday no compensation was necessary and the Harry Potter images could be used without permission until October 26, when celebrations end.
"The Delhi High Court verdict does not impose restrictions on the organisers," Chakraborty told The Associated Press.
The four-day festival takes place in the West Bengal city of Calcutta to honour the Hindu goddess of valour, Durga.
Warner Bros in a statement from London last week said, "Sadly, the organisers of this large-scale commercially sponsored event did not approach us for permission to go ahead."
- AP