The Mouse House accuses Phase 4 Films of piggybacking on the success of Disney's 'Frozen' by giving 'The Legend of Sarila' an 'intentionally misleadingly' new title.
- Dec 25, 2013
AceShowbiz - Another court battle over similar film titles begins. After Warner Brothers sued over "Age of the Hobbits" film last year and Weinsteins feuded with WB over "Lee Daniels' The Butler" early this year, now Disney files a lawsuit against Phase 4 Films over "Frozen Land" film.
In the legal papers, Disney accuses Phase 4 of trademark infringement. The plaintiff claims the Phase 4 film originally titled "The Legend of Sarila" was given a new title that is "deceptively and confusingly similar" to the Mouse House's recently-released animation "Frozen (2013)".
"On November 1, 2013, less than three weeks before the Hollywood premiere of 'FROZEN' on November 19, Phase 4 theatrically released an animated picture entitled 'The Legend of Sarila', which generated minimal box office revenues and received no significant attention," Disney says.
"Phase 4 also redesigned the artwork, packaging, logo, and other promotional materials for its newly (and intentionally misleadingly) retitled film to mimic those used by [Disney] for FROZEN and related merchandise," the Mouse House continues in its complaint.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is asking for an injunction and destruction of all DVDs for "Frozen Land." The plaintiff also seeks compensatory and damages, lost profits and actual damages.
Phase 4 has no immediate comment on the matter.