The controversy surrounding the Netflix series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has taken a new turn as the news agency ANI has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the streaming giant and the producers of the series. The lawsuit, filed in the Delhi High Court, alleges that the series used ANI’s archival footage without authorization, demanding the removal of four episodes from the platform.
SOURCE : ZEE
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is a gripping six-part series that delves into the harrowing 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 81 The flight, en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was hijacked by five terrorists and diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The incident, which lasted for seven days, ended with the release of three high-profile militants in exchange for the hostages.
Source:- news 18
ANI’s lawsuit centers on the unauthorized use of its archival footage, which includes significant historical moments featuring former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. According to ANI’s counsel, Sidhant Kumar, the footage was used without a proper license, and the series also misused the ANI trademark.
Kumar elaborated on the allegations, stating, “They have used copyright archival footage of ANI without a license. They have also used the ANI trademark. Since the series has come under such criticism, our trademark and brand name are being tarnished.” The lawsuit demands the removal of the episodes containing the disputed footage and seeks damages for the alleged infringement.
This is not the first time “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has faced controversy. Earlier, the series was criticized for using Hindu code names for the terrorists involved in the real-life hijacking. In the show, the terrorists were referred to by names like ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar,’ while their real names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. Following the backlash, Netflix added a disclaimer to the series, specifying the real names of the hijackers alongside the fictional code names used in the show.
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Netflix and the other producers involved in the series, requesting a response to the allegations. A hearing is scheduled for later this month, where both parties will present their arguments. ANI’s legal team is pushing for a swift resolution, emphasizing the damage to their trademark and brand reputation.
In response to the lawsuit, Netflix has maintained that the footage used in the series was acquired from two different companies, with a total payment of over Rs 1 crore. The streaming platform has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the legal process and address any concerns raised by ANI
The ongoing legal battle has cast a shadow over the series, which has otherwise been praised for its gripping narrative and high production values. The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the use of archival footage and the importance of obtaining proper licenses in the digital age
As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the entertainment industry, particularly regarding the use of archival footage and intellectual property rights. For now, the controversy continues to swirl around “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” keeping it in the spotlight for reasons beyond its dramatic retelling of a historical event.
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