Post by Forever Xena on Oct 28, 2005 1:19:24 GMT -6
Injunction Could Delay 'Goblet of Fire' in Canada
Author: Michael Simpson
Date: 10-27-2005
Source: Yahoo Canada News
Less than two weeks before it is due, the theatrical release of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" may be held up in Canada by a court decision. On Nov. 4 a Manitoba folk music group, The Wyrd Sisters, will bring an injunction to get the release delayed because a band featured in the film is allegedly using their name, according to Yahoo Canada News.
The Wyrd Sisters filed a statement of claim in September against Warner Brothers and musicians Jarvis Cocker, Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway. Cocker sings with the British band Pulp and Greenwood and Selway are part of the group Radiohead. In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" they perform in a band that was called The Weird Sisters in the novel. The Manitoba group allege that the spelling has been changed in the film and the public confusion this could cause will harm their reputation.
"If everybody knows Harry Potter's Wyrd Sisters, we can't go out and find new fans because people are going to see us and go, well who are you?" Kimberly Townley-Smith, the Wyrd Sisters' lawyer, said. "Some people are going to think we're ripping them off."
The claim seeks $40 million plus punitive damages, interest and other costs. Warner Brothers has denied that the band in the movie goes by any name. The studio did apparently offer the Wyrd Sisters $5,000 for the use of their name, though.
"It all started with a phone call recently from a Warner bros lawyer," said a statement on the band's website that was quoted on Blogcritics.org. "The fellow said: 'We're making a big movie and putting together a band of famous musicians together called the Wyrd Sisters. We're going to make a big splash, sound tracks, the whole shebang! So... you don't want our army of lawyers shutting down your girls' band... sign this piece of paper and we'll give you $5000.'"
That offer was unacceptable to the band's co-founder Kim Baryluk.
"Do you know what I've spent on the band in the past 10 years?" Baryluk said on the music website ChartAttack. "In the last 10 years I've spent more than a million dollars. Offering me $50,000 is more than an insult."
On Nov. 4 the Wyrd Sisters will ask for an injunction against any public displays of the film in Canada. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is due for release across North America on Nov. 18.
In other Harry Potter news, the next film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is well into preproduction. Yet, there seems to be some confusion over casting. According to MuggleNet, English actress Imelda Staunton recently said on the British TV show "This Morning" that she will appear in the film as Professor Dolores Umbridge. Staunton was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Vera Drake" and has appeared in a number of acclaimed films and British television series. Her casting has been rumoured for some time. She may have spoken too soon, though. Producer David Heyman, speaking to the website Veritaserum a few days later, said that negotiations with Staunton were ongoing. Veritaserum did report, however, that Rupert Grint would return in the role of Ron Weasley.
"Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" will be directed by David Yates and is scheduled for a 2007 release.
Author: Michael Simpson
Date: 10-27-2005
Source: Yahoo Canada News
Less than two weeks before it is due, the theatrical release of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" may be held up in Canada by a court decision. On Nov. 4 a Manitoba folk music group, The Wyrd Sisters, will bring an injunction to get the release delayed because a band featured in the film is allegedly using their name, according to Yahoo Canada News.
The Wyrd Sisters filed a statement of claim in September against Warner Brothers and musicians Jarvis Cocker, Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway. Cocker sings with the British band Pulp and Greenwood and Selway are part of the group Radiohead. In "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" they perform in a band that was called The Weird Sisters in the novel. The Manitoba group allege that the spelling has been changed in the film and the public confusion this could cause will harm their reputation.
"If everybody knows Harry Potter's Wyrd Sisters, we can't go out and find new fans because people are going to see us and go, well who are you?" Kimberly Townley-Smith, the Wyrd Sisters' lawyer, said. "Some people are going to think we're ripping them off."
The claim seeks $40 million plus punitive damages, interest and other costs. Warner Brothers has denied that the band in the movie goes by any name. The studio did apparently offer the Wyrd Sisters $5,000 for the use of their name, though.
"It all started with a phone call recently from a Warner bros lawyer," said a statement on the band's website that was quoted on Blogcritics.org. "The fellow said: 'We're making a big movie and putting together a band of famous musicians together called the Wyrd Sisters. We're going to make a big splash, sound tracks, the whole shebang! So... you don't want our army of lawyers shutting down your girls' band... sign this piece of paper and we'll give you $5000.'"
That offer was unacceptable to the band's co-founder Kim Baryluk.
"Do you know what I've spent on the band in the past 10 years?" Baryluk said on the music website ChartAttack. "In the last 10 years I've spent more than a million dollars. Offering me $50,000 is more than an insult."
On Nov. 4 the Wyrd Sisters will ask for an injunction against any public displays of the film in Canada. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is due for release across North America on Nov. 18.
In other Harry Potter news, the next film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is well into preproduction. Yet, there seems to be some confusion over casting. According to MuggleNet, English actress Imelda Staunton recently said on the British TV show "This Morning" that she will appear in the film as Professor Dolores Umbridge. Staunton was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Vera Drake" and has appeared in a number of acclaimed films and British television series. Her casting has been rumoured for some time. She may have spoken too soon, though. Producer David Heyman, speaking to the website Veritaserum a few days later, said that negotiations with Staunton were ongoing. Veritaserum did report, however, that Rupert Grint would return in the role of Ron Weasley.
"Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" will be directed by David Yates and is scheduled for a 2007 release.
SyFyPortal
Esp. The Goblet of Fire..very good reading. 
All the books were very good. 