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Warner Bros Is Cracking Down On Harry Potter Festivals (apnews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the somethings-never-change dept.

Warner Bros is cracking down on local Harry Potter fan festivals around the country, saying it's necessary to halt unauthorized commercial activity. From a report: Fans, however, liken the move to Dementors sucking the joy out of homegrown fun, while festival directors say they'll transfigure the events into generic celebrations of magic. "It's almost as if Warner Bros. has been taken over by Voldemort, trying to use dark magic to destroy the light of a little town," said Sarah Jo Tucker, a 21-year-old junior at Chestnut Hill College, which hosts a Quidditch tournament that coincides with the annual suburban Philadelphia festival. Philip Dawson, Chestnut Hill's business district director, said Warner Bros. reached out to his group in May, letting them know new guidelines prohibit festivals' use of any names, places or objects from the series. That ruled out everything from meet-and-greet with Dumbledore and Harry to Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. Related story, from 18 years ago: Harry Potter Sites vs. Warner Brothers.

3 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Great business decision.... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Turn down free marketing/free publicity for your movies. Also, the books came first -- is the book publisher also harassing festival organizers?

    1. Re:Great business decision.... by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Nomative use is not considered to dilute a trademark.

      Except that is not what is happening. These "fan festivals" charge fees, sell merchandise, are promoted with paid advertising, and are clearly commercial activities.

      It is disingenuous to spin this as WB cracking down on kids playing in their backyard.

    2. Re:Great business decision.... by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You missed his point: you don't dilute a trademark by using it for the trademarked product.

      You missed the point: The trademark is being used for OTHER PRODUCTS. Specifically, a commercial festival that is not endorsed or affiliated with the owner of the trademark.