Readers will remember the tid-bit on Emami serving a legal notice alleging copyright infringement on the makers of Dabangg for the use of word Zandu in the song Munni badnam hui. Turns out that the FMCG Emami is now open for an out-of-court settlement with Sree Astavinayak and Arbaaz Khan Productions.
As ET reports here, Arbaaz Khan, producer of Dabangg said :
“We are in a dialogue with them (Emami), hopefully, all will be settled without any issue. When asked whether this means he is looking at an out-of-court settlement, he added, Yes looks like it.”
Sources suggest that the makers of Zandu Balm had approached the producers for the use of the song Munni badnam for its promotional campaigns.
Did Emami finally realise that they actually had no case against the producers?
Was actually wondering.. if Emami had actually gone ahead with a case (however frivolous it may be)… would it have meant that henceforth, Producers and Directors would have to get a legal clearance for the lyrics of a song as well…
But Shayonee, do let us know if there are any reports on what the terms of the settlement are. If Emami is getting any money at all as consideration for withdrawl of (what seems like a frivolous) suit, it may be a slightly camouflaged victory!
@Kru : I haven’t come across that news yet.Will update you all if I get to know anything.
Btw, I read in Calcutta Times that Mallika Arora Khan is the new brand ambassador for Zandu Balm. And apparently this settlement was reached due to ad-man Prahlad Kakkar’s intervention.
I was discussing this topic with a friend and according to him, it appeared to be a well thought publicity strategy.
Clearly, Emami’s case was very weak. The song was already providing free advertising for Emami. All that the legal notice seems to have done is encouraged people to go and listen to the song more carefully…thereby increasing Emami’s publicity… Considering that Emami is rather quick to settle out of court, it appears they were aware all along of the frivolous nature of their case… and thus, the conclusion that it was simply a no-expense publicity stunt…
I must say, a nice strategy!
Just a thought – how about Arbaz Khan and his production company suing Emami for mental harassment due to frivolous claims or maybe malicious prosecution?!!
FYI, a further update on this:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/fmcg/New-Zandu-Balm-ad-to-encash-popularity-of-Dabanggs-song-Munni-badnaam/articleshow/6616631.cms