Film Titles Face Legal Challenges as Producers Battle Over Intellectual Property and Sensitivity Concerns The entertainment industry is increasingly encountering legal hurdles over film titles, as producers grapple with disputes over intellectual property rights and allegations of offensive content. Recent cases highlight the complexities of naming films, particularly when titles clash with existing registrations or provoke controversy over cultural sensitivity. These incidents underscore the growing intersection of law, creativity, and public perception in the film industry. One notable case involves Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which found itself embroiled in a legal battle over its title and music rights. Puja Entertainment, a production company, filed a lawsuit with the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division)-I in Katihar, Bihar, alleging unauthorized use of its films, music, and sound recordings. The case centered on the claim that the title and intellectual property of the film were being exploited without permission. On May 13, the court issued an interim order to halt the film’s release pending further proceedings. Tips Music, the film’s producers, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “malicious” and “misconceived,” and asserted that they held legal ownership of the music rights. The case remains unresolved, with additional hearings scheduled. Another contentious title was the ZEE5 documentary Lawrence of Punjab, which faced a legal challenge from Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi. Bedi argued that the documentary’s title could normalize organized crime and negatively influence youth by glorifying criminal activities. This claim followed an earlier petition by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who sought a ban on the film.#varun_dhawan #puja_entertainment #court_of_civil_judge_senior_division_i #katihar_bihar #tips_music
