Harry Potter, Hogwarts, And Hedwig’s Theme Are Out: Company Claims Player’s Goal Celebrations Infringe Trademark And Constitute Unfair Competition
ISTANBUL, Turkey – Warner Bros., one of the giants of the global cinema industry, has initiated a sensational legal proceeding in Turkish football. The company has filed a lawsuit against Fenerbahçe/Galatasaray footballer Kerem Aktürkoğlu for the unauthorized use of copyrighted Harry Potter materials in his goal celebrations and social media posts. The allegation of Kerem Aktürkoğlu Harry Potter Copyright infringement is set to redefine the boundaries of intellectual property rights in the realms of sports and social media.
📝 GROUNDS FOR THE LAWSUIT: TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
According to the report by Atakan Irmak of Sabah newspaper, Warner Bros.’s petition to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) emphasized the global brand recognition and significant commercial value of the intellectual property it holds.
- Registered Terms: Warner Bros reminded the court that expressions like “Harry Potter,” “Hogwarts,” and “Gryffindor” are registered trademarks in Turkey. The company stressed that these brands are not limited to just the book and film series but hold immense global value across a vast commercial product range.
- Direct Reference: The petition stated that the footballer’s social media posts made direct and explicit reference to these registered trademarks, violating the company’s rights.
🎥 EVIDENCE OF UNAUTHORIZED USE: MUSIC AND SYMBOLS
The documents presented to the court detailed the specific visual and auditory elements Aktürkoğlu allegedly used without permission:
- Iconic Music: The filing stated that the iconic Hedwig’s Theme—the signature music of the Harry Potter series—was used without authorization in the videos shared on Aktürkoğlu’s social media accounts.
- Visual Violations: The posts allegedly included animated characters resembling Harry Potter, symbols similar to the Hogwarts crest, and decorations and costumes that evoked the film’s atmosphere. All these elements were claimed to be used without obtaining any permission from Warner Bros.
⚖️ LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND UNFAIR COMPETITION
Warner Bros. argues that the unauthorized use led to two main legal violations:
- Intellectual Property Rights: The company claimed that the footballer violated the financial and moral rights of the author under the Law on Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights. Therefore, any commercial or moral gain Aktürkoğlu received from the content constitutes an infringement.
- Unfair Competition: Warner Bros. also stated that the unauthorized use constitutes unfair competition according to the Turkish Commercial Code. This suggests that the unauthorized use potentially diminishes the market value of the company’s licensed products.
The company requested that the court appoint an expert witness to examine and order the removal of the footballer’s relevant Instagram Reels videos and X (Twitter) posts. In conclusion, this lawsuit could establish new precedents defining the limits of cultural referencing by athletes on social media.
