Phantom Studios has filed a Rs 250-crore lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against JioStar India over the film "Queen Forever," alleging it is an unauthorised sequel to the 2014 film "Queen." The case, Phantom Studios v. JioStar India & Anr., is scheduled for an urgent hearing this week before Justice Gauri Godse, according to medianama.com.
Phantom Studios claims that under a 2012 co-production agreement, reaffirmed by a 2022 deed of novation, it and JioStar jointly own all intellectual property and derivative rights related to "Queen." The lawsuit alleges that JioStar collaborated with co-producer Trigger Happy Entertainment to develop and film "Queen Forever" without Phantom's consent or involvement, violating the agreement. Phantom seeks a permanent injunction to stop JioStar and Trigger Happy Entertainment from exploiting any sequel or derivative work without its approval, as well as an interim injunction to halt all further development and promotion.
The dispute highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights in film co-productions, especially regarding sequels and derivative works. Phantom's lawsuit underscores the importance of mutual consent in exploiting franchise rights, a matter that can impact future collaborations in the Indian film industry. The case draws attention to the legal frameworks governing co-production agreements and the protection of creative assets in Bollywood.
The Bombay High Court is expected to hear the matter this week, with the lawsuit filed through law firm Rashmikant and Partners. The court's decision will determine whether JioStar can proceed with "Queen Forever" without Phantom Studios' consent, potentially setting a precedent for similar intellectual property disputes in Indian cinema.