Author name: Sumathi Chandrasekharan

After Prashant’s engaging post on Potter, parodies, and the right to laugh, here’s a quick update on the Hari Puttar case, for those of you who are still keen on following the developments. Arguments concluded earlier this week, after the defendants (Mirchi Movies et al) attempted to establish that there was evident dissimilarity in the two titles in question. Indeed, the defense argued that there ought to be different tests for film titles and trademarks, especially keeping in mind the […]

Arguments in the Hari Puttar/Harry Potter case have been continuing over the past three days. The plaintiffs (Warner Bros.) have ended their arguments, and the defendants (Mirchi Movies et al) began on Thursday. A brief overview of what has ensued thus far follows. The petitioner’s case, as pointed out in a response to comments made in the previous post, is on grounds of the doctrine of Initial Interest Confusion. The general doctrine is premised upon ‘the use of another’s trademark