ANI Sues Netflix Over IC 814 Series: Allegations of Copyright and Trademark Infringement

The news agency Asian News International (ANI) has taken legal action against Netflix and the creators of the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, accusing them of copyright and trademark infringement. ANI alleges that the streaming giant and the show’s producers have used exclusive archival footage without proper licensing or consent.

The Lawsuit Details

According to ANI, the series has incorporated footage featuring former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, and terrorist Masood Azhar. This footage, ANI claims, is protected under copyright and trademark laws. The lawsuit asserts that the inclusion of these clips in the series was done without ANI’s authorization.

The Delhi High Court has responded by issuing a notice to Netflix and the other producers of the series, asking them to address these allegations. A hearing is scheduled for this Friday.

Background of the Series

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack dramatizes the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, which occurred on December 24, 1999. The aircraft was seized by five terrorists shortly after departing from Kathmandu, leading to an eight-day standoff. The crisis ended when the Indian government agreed to release three terrorists, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the safe release of 154 hostages.

The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, features a star-studded cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy. It dramatizes the events of the hijacking and the subsequent negotiations, incorporating real news footage from the period.

Previous Controversies

The series has faced criticism beyond ANI’s lawsuit. It was initially criticized for the use of names such as “Bhola” and “Shankar” to represent the terrorists, which led to backlash from viewers and critics alike. In response, Netflix India revised the opening disclaimer to address these concerns.

Next Steps

The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for how streaming platforms handle copyrighted materials and archival footage in their productions. As the case moves forward, both ANI and Netflix will present their arguments before the court.