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JULY 1, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: National Post via Moreover
Winnipeg, Canada-based folk band Wyrd Sisters has been ordered
to pay Warner Bros. $140,000 in legal costs stemming from the group's 2005 lawsuit aimed at preventing the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire because the movie contained a pretend band of similar name.
HPANA has learned through a confidential source involved with the case that Jarvis Cocker (the real-life musician who was the lead singer of Potter's "Weird Sisters") desired to release an entire album of songs with different collaborators, including Franz Ferdinand, Jack White and Iggy Pop. (The band Franz Ferdinand was once rumored to be the movie-version Weird Sisters.)
Cocker also planned music videos and singles, all of which had to be pulled due to the lawsuit. The whole debacle created so much tension that Cocker was escorted down the red carpet premiere in London to avoid reporters' questions on the subject.
(On a semi-related note, this great interview with Daniel Radcliffe may have been missed in the hooplah surrounding Goblet of Fire's release in November 2005. It's all about Dan's musical tastes and mentions both Cocker and Franz Ferdinand.)
UPDATE: The Wyrd Sisters are appealing this ruling and will continue on with their $40 million lawsuit against Warner Bros.
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Squib
Points: 167
Miss Eeylop says:
Okay...I'm confused. Jarvis Cocker was in the movie and then wanted to do all this stuff but the "real-life" band put a stop to it with a lawsuit?? Or is Jarvis Cocker the law-suit bringer....?? What's goin' on?
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 6:42 AM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
Im glad that nutters got what they deserved. Trying to prevent the release of a big budget film like that, no chance. How do we even know that they didn't steal the name from the book and changed it slightly, if they will through wild accusations that are not true, then so shall i.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 6:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1437
allilau says:
Well I can understand suspicions, but really no-one should be able to cash in just for the sake of it on Harry Potter. So many must just see dollars signs, rather than the art and creativity...
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 6:57 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4400
ILoveHP! says:
Serves you right Wyrd Sisters! And, Jarvis Cocker, I'm so sorry for you...
And... I'll read the interview right away then!
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 7:12 AM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
There is always someone out there trying to make a fast buck.
On the up side The Wyrd Sisters have just bought themselves $140 000, worth of advertising.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 7:24 AM EST
Squib
Points: 176
blackwolfgrizz says:
Good for them they have to pay WB for the truoble they caused. Yes the WB dose not need the money but but when you file a stupid law suit you should have to pay.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 7:38 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Miss Eeylop: No I don't think so. I think that Warner Bros wanted to relise an Album of the Wierd Sisters. Jarvis Cocker didn't bring about the Law Sute, nor was he affected by it.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 8:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 433
Witherwing's_Rider says:
I knew they'd be stupid as soon as I saw their first idea of a law suit, but I didn't know they were that bad of idiots...Oh well, serves them right! I'm proud of Warner Bros. for catching them.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 9:48 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
Witherwing's_Rider: Yeah same here. There was no way that they could win. Also their own name ment either "Fate" or "Soul" I can't remember which one.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 10:22 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
Sirius151 says:
I didn't realise that GOF got a delayed release at all, never mind for a law suit.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 11:09 AM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
I didn't know there was a real wyrd sisters.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 11:33 AM EST
Comedy Princess
Points: 3398
Ginevra M. Weasley says:
Wow $140,000 in legal cost!!!!.....Thats a lot!!!!.....Wyrd Sisters, yeah, very similar to Weird Sisters...hahaha.
Ginevra.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 11:50 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 487
crazy_purple_hp_freak says:
I don't really get this....I heard about this band trying to sure WB a while back...so obviously a desperate want for publicity! *rolls eyes*
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 12:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3659
Anastasia Popovick says:
OH DON'T GET ME STARTED!
Another frivilous law suit! Wasted money! Some one thinking they can get rich quick on someone elses hard work.
The Wyrd Sisters should be thanking they're lucky stars the names were similar. People all over the world probably hit onto their website(if they have one) and there recording titles doing searches for the Weird Sisters. They probably sold more music and have more interest in their music then ever before and what do they do? Big fat dummies! Loose the law suit and end up paying away all the profits! Dumb!!! Dumb!!! Dumb!!!
GREED gets you in trouble everytime! Hopefully, a lesson learned.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 1:47 PM EST
Points: 200
veggichic0804 says:
I agree. People are so quick to call a lawyer and see how much money they can milk out of someone else. They need to stop trying to benefit from another person's ideas and make some of their own.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 2:17 PM EST
Points: 4731
Renegade Alpha says:
Surely warner bros couldd have given him permission to do it under their banner. they'd have gotten money from it as well.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 2:17 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 411
SouthernWitch05 says:
Wow, that is alot of money. I can't belive today, people get sued for so many things now-a-days.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 2:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
haha...it backfired againt them. haha. you cannot mess wuth HaRRY Potter
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 2:34 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 539
Emma's true fan and lover says:
I think even a Canadian wouldn't feel any urge to show sympathy towards the band. Not to mention when a band that is totally unknown wants to mess with Warner Brothers and J.K.Rowling. I would have been nicer if the two sides could have settled the issue, that way the wyrd sisters in Winnipeg would'nt have to pay 140 grand.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 2:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
That is soo funy that now the real band has to pay the WB!! What a crazy world we live in!
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 3:41 PM EST
Student
Points: 277
becs_weasley_always says:
Hmmmm gotta be honest, this seems really wierd
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 4:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 596
SlytherinsPerfectPrefect says:
This is ridiculous! And, if you think about it, if they wanted to sue someone, why didn't they sue JKR because it was in her books before it went to the bog screen... Either way, I'm glad they have to pay for their childishness...
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 4:47 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
All of this just because that stupid band wanted money, stupid peopple make me angry! :p
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 5:39 PM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
I'm glad they have to pay. Hope they have the $$ to do it. It was an obvious attempt to gain publicity or possibly money. Bummer all that cool stuff was canceled because of this idiotic stunt.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 6:46 PM EST
Singularly Gifted Witch
Points: 5157
Medea says:
The original lawsuit was stupid but WB suing some small band for $140K? All these parties wanting to make money make me shake my head.
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 6:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 442
dalishka says:
wow... that has to be hard.. paying that amount of money... and to a company thats so popular... So good luck to that band....oh and by the way I didn't know there was a band called like the one of the book..
Posted Jul 2, 2006 at 8:54 PM EST
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