Tollywood : trademark issues

T-TOWN WAKES UP TO TRADEMARK ISSUES

The legal fracas over Manoj's film title, gives 'Facebook' makers jitters

Karthik Pasupulate

Title tussles are not new to TTown. Most often in the past, they were on a smaller scale, where cases were slapped in local courts for insulting people from a certain region like in Ram Gopal Varma's "Bezawada Rowdylu" that was later changed to "Bezawada" or Pawan Kalyan's "Komaram Puli" that was shortened to just "Puli". Although BTown's Munni got away with the Zandu Balm reference, Mr Nokia didn't have any such luck. In fact, after the whole title drama over Manchu Manoj's recent film, the filmmakers of upcoming Telugu flick "Facebook" are a worried lot.
Speaking to Hyderabad Times, RP Patnaik, the director of "Facebook", says that the whole trademark infringement issue is something they are just discovering. "We registered our title with the Film Chamber of Commerce and we take that as the final criteria as far as titles are concerned. In T-wood, we are just learning that there will be legal issues beyond getting mandatory approval from the Film Chamber. We are in touch with the management of Facebook, seeking their approval for the title of our film. We are awaiting their consent," he says.
While Patnaik says that they had no clear idea about the implications of using such a title, D Suresh Babu, President, Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce, says that the filmmakers in question were warned about the legalities. "The committee did inform them that there could be a trademark infringement issue, but they went ahead with it. When the committee is approving a title of a film, its primary job is to ensure that a similar title isn't registered in other film industries in the country to eliminate confusion. If the title is racist in nature or could hurt the sentiments of any sections of the society, we do not approve it. Our job is to warn filmmakers, but they have the democratic right to fight for the title of their choice, which is what the makers of Manchu Manoj's film did — they contested it and eventually changed the title," he says.
The ace producer adds that Telugu filmmakers need to be more aware and update themselves with the changing times. "India is a booming economy and our pockets have gotten deeper. Naturally, all the big firms have lawyers on their team who watch out for such infringements. It will be difficult to get away with something like this," he says.
RP Patnaik though is sticking to his guns. "It is a positive film about social networking and hence the title. We are not misusing it in anyway. If anything, the film will introduce the brand to many in the audience who aren't familiar with it. We will change the title if the company finds it objectionable. I'm confident that even if there is a title change, it won't affect the fortunes of our film at the Box Office," he says.

IN TOLLYWOOD, WE ARE JUST LEARNING THAT THERE WILL BE LEGAL ISSUES BEYOND GETTING MANDATORY APPROVAL FROM THE FILM CHAMBER — RP PATNAIK

OUR JOB IS TO WARN THE FILMMAKERS, BUT THEY HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR THE TITLE OF THEIR CHOICE — D SURESH BABU

A still from "Facebook"