Indian Court allows to use Herry Potter in festival

An Indian court has allowed organisers of a Hindu festival - 'Durga Puja', to use images from the Harry Potter without permission after throwing out a 50,000 US dollar (£24,600) lawsuit by Warner Brothers. The lawsuit was filed against a temporary shrine similar to Hogwarts School, that is being constructed in Kolkota, West Bengal, India to celebrate 'Durga Puja'.


The lawsuit was filed in the New Delhi High Court days ago by Warner Brothers 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. The lawsuit demanded compensation of two million rupees (£24,600) from the festival organisers.

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.

Warner Brothers 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." Link