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SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 at 7:41 PM
Posted by EUDAEMONIA
Source: Chart Attack
A canadian folk group, The Wyrd Sisters, is suing Warner Brothers
, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Radiohead's Phil Selway and Johnny Greenwood for trademark infringement on use of their band name in the upcoming film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The all-female band was made aware of Warner Brothers' intent on using the name back in June when they were offered $5,000 (and later $50,000) for use of their name. Warner Brothers and representatives of the musicians have later reiterated that the name will not be used in the movie. However:
Baryluk's lawyer, Kimbery-Townley Smith, says ...the damage has already been done — people already associate The Wyrd Sisters with Harry Potter.
"If you go on the 'net now and put in Harry Potter and Wyrd Sisters you get 6,000 hits or something crazy like that. People know already and that's because up until recently Warner had them credited and the official word was that the name of the band was The Wyrd Sisters. They've already created an association between the name and the band and that's all you need."
Fans of the books, were already aware that the actual name of the group was in fact Weird Sisters.
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Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
To me Wyrd Sisters looks like it would be pronounced "Wired" Sisters. And how famous are they if no ones ever heard of them? Seems to me like they want a bit of free press. Only people who know HP will recognize the connection, and will also know the name is Weird not Wyrd. People who aren't into HP won't know anything of it. Can't hurt them in my opinion.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 9:05 PM EST
Student
Points: 289
Overlord Dobby says:
Wow that reminds me that my name is Harry James Potter and my mom's Lily Evans and my dad's James Potter. Well, I can't type anymore because I have to go feed Crookshanks and Scabbers. Plus, my stupid sister Hermione and my brother Ollivander won't stop throwing Fanged Frisbees at me...
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 9:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 956
harryluvsginny! says:
That is the most ridiculous thing i have ever had the misfortune of hearing! The name in the book is spelled differently though! And they were offered $50,000 to use the name but the stupid band still refused!
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 9:20 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
That is so stupid. The spelling of the name is different, and who cares anyway. They obviously just want some publicity by trying to sue.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 9:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
Thats so ridikulus & those ladies are so desperate for publicity...suing comeon! Im sorry but JKR had them in the books. Besides, Ive never even heard of those ladies anyway...oh well.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 9:52 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
'Arry + Hermy says:
The band just wants to get heard and out their and maybe makes some money at the same time! ARGGH! They are so selfish, man!
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 10:19 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1083
ILoveGeorge says:
I know! that's so stupid! People are so flippin stupid! ggrrr!!!
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 10:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PhantasmKiss says:
I was under the impression that the band's name was "The Weird sisters... Is this another WB boo-boo like the "Tom Marvolo Riddle" gravestone?
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 10:44 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 539
Emma's true fan and lover says:
What the hell?!!!!. We all know that J.K.R came up with the name nearly 3 years ago when she wrote the book. What the flip is wrong with the band?, they were being paid but they want more. Theyr'e getting attention but they want more. What morons.
Sheesh, I feel sick that theyr'e fellow Canadians.
Theyr'e crazy eh.
That clears alot I guess.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 10:57 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
Are you serious? This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard/seen/read. For serious. First of all...they are a fictional band...and secondly...the name isn't even the same! Gah.
Posted Oct 1, 2005 at 11:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1369
luv4permboy says:
With something as big as Harry Potter, don't you think you would want to be associated with it. I think sales would sore. But its all a load of crap. Does this mean the Wierd Sister won't be in the movie?
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 1:15 AM EST
Dark Mark Caster
Points: 7648
FireboltFlyr says:
Hmmm Maybe if that band would have read the book they would have realized that the Weird Sisters is an all guy band! It has nothing to do with them or thier band! It's going to be interesting to see the Weird Sisters in the movie.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 1:18 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1013
hpotter_gweasley says:
That's really annoying, the movie's just following the book, that's just a publicity stunt by that Canadian band.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 1:40 AM EST
Witch
Points: 772
fawkes1984 says:
Jeez, can it get it get any more crazy? Why are you going to sue just because they might have associated your name with Harry Potter? I for one, would have been flattered. They should be flattered, not suing for lots of money.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 2:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 564
val_the_pyro07 says:
Ok, depending on the time the band was put together and when the BOOK was published, then there should be some civil law issues. But the thing is, the names arent spelled the same so there shouldn't be any sort of lawsuit, and this situation shouldn't have even been brought up by the canadians
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 2:28 AM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9948
Gryffindor Dude says:
Oh my god..that is so retarded! People make me so mad. I hope that there band doesn't get any money and everyone hates them for this.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 2:56 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 496
Duran Vegrandis says:
I know I posted before, and I'm very sorry, but I realized I didn't pay that much attention to this article because I was just astounded by this band's stupidity.
First of all, they're suing the wrong people. Why in the world would you sue the actors?! If they had reason to sue in the first place (which they don't) they'd be suing J.K. Rowling. Dumb move all around, since she's been working on Harry Potter for like the past decade and a half.
Second, they have to be able to PROVE that this issue would financially harm them. Judging by the fact that no one knows who these people are, this will only lead to a few extra hits on their website, which will then, if they're lucky, end up in maybe 2 or 3 more people buying their music.
It looks like they're wasting what money they could've made with positive publicity of sharing a name on what sounds like a bumbling attorney who needs to learn the meaning of "research".
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 2:57 AM EST
Sarcastic Sally
Points: 5088
Lucius's Luscious Lady says:
This is pathetic. I hate when people try to captialize on a popular thing to try to make money.
These people are morons. If these gals gave themselves this name post-HP books then they deserve the association. Besides, who wouldn't want to be associated with HP? I would think that would be a source of pride.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 3:34 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 87
Auror_Goddess says:
oh...!!! they just want to be popular...and why do they have to be payed with that amount of money???grrr!!! they are annoying
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 3:57 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 422
squishy_marshmallows says:
DAMN!!! if i get paid $50,000 plus for making a band name somewhat similar.....I am a guitarist for the band 'Order Of The Phoenix'. Come on WB's, hand it over!!!!
I can't believe they can actually get money for being the Wyrd sisters....i've never even heard of them! why is it a copywright problem for more publicity and a different name?!?!?! some people are unreal!!
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 4:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 619
dance_girl says:
Ive never heared of Wyrd Sisters as a band. Is that a bad thing? I think Wyrd Sisters should be happy that they are getting publicity because of a good and popular movie. *People always ask for more. Nothings enough anymore*
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 4:57 AM EST
Slytherin's Golden Locket
Points: 7863
Lady oF Shadows says:
That is just soo stupid ! They have no right to sue them at all ! It was there in the book 5 years ago and it isnt even the same spelling !! Its pathetic and WB are so genorous and I agree with all the others, they just want money !
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 5:55 AM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
I assume that WB will spell it the same as the books, if so then they will lose the law suit as if its spelt differently they can't claim they stole the name.
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 6:49 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1454
musician says:
They should be bloody grateful for the publicity, if they'd handled it differently, I bet a lot of Potter-fans would have checked their music out, but no, you've got to be money-greedy apparently in this world... Also, I'd like to know how long the damn band has existed for, because The band is mentioned in the books several times, and Rowling has been writing them for a long time now... Maybe she ought to sue the band... hehehe, naa, she wouldn't do that, because some people aren't that full of themselves...
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 8:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 854
Khay says:
If anything, having their name in Harry Potter will give them more publicity and help their career! My goodness, they should be happy! All they want is money and attention! I mean what did they get ... like 2 mins of fame ?! please !! not even worth it !!
Kay
XoXo
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 8:59 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 422
squishy_marshmallows says:
I don't know if it's just me but when i typed in 'wyrd sisters' the first item was a link to amazon....to buy a book by terry pratchett!!! and out of all the sites on my first page only two were links to the wyrd sisters, why aren't they suing the shop that makes unique gifts...could it be because they're goldiggers after WB's money and publicity!!!
Posted Oct 2, 2005 at 9:19 AM EST
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