Legal troubles don’t seem to end for forthcoming film Dum Maaro Dum. Barely a week after producers, Ramesh Sippy Entertainment and Fox Star Studios India, agreed to remove the lines objected to by the Goa State Women’s Commission, the filmmakers have been taken to court again. This time, Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess’ Training has filed a suit before the Delhi High Court for infringement and tarnishing of its trademarks.
According to the statement issued by the institute, last June, “Fox Star Studio India approached them for in-film branding of its institute, by showing Bipasha Basu as one of the students completing her air hostess’ training course from the Institute.”
Frankfinn initially agreed with the proposal and shared with the producers its trademarks, logos, images of signage and students uniform.
However Samir Valia, vice-president, Frankfinn reveals that they soon “realised that the overall portrayal of air hostess’ in Dum Maaro Dum is not line with high standards of education, training and ethics imparted by us.” Hence, they refused the proposal made by Fox Star in writing.
Valia further recalls being surprised when they learnt from their creative design consultant, on April 11, 2011, that “a logo and image deceptively and remarkably similar to that of Frankfinn has been used by the film’s producers from” in their movie featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Rana Daggubati and Prateik, to be released on April 22.
Valia maintains that this impugned twisting and dilution of Frankfinn’s trademark by the film producers is highly uncalled for. “It seems to be an intentional and malicious assault, which is cutting at the roots of our business and is causing irreparable loss and injury to our reputation,” Valia says.
{{/usCountry}}Valia maintains that this impugned twisting and dilution of Frankfinn’s trademark by the film producers is highly uncalled for. “It seems to be an intentional and malicious assault, which is cutting at the roots of our business and is causing irreparable loss and injury to our reputation,” Valia says.
{{/usCountry}}While the institute has also filed injunction against the film’s release, Valia says that they don’t intend to stop the film from reaching the cinemas. “Our only contention is that the producers have wronged us and they should set the record straight by removing the tarnishing and damaging portions.”
The producers have been asked to appear for a hearing in the Delhi High Court today. No one from the production companies was willing to comment on this.
Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.