Harry Popper condom brand sued by Warner Brothers
This made me laugh so hard that I have to repeat it. Warner Brothers, the studio that puts out the popular Harry Potter franchise, is suing a Swiss condom maker for a brand of protection named… wait for it (although it’s already in the title so I don’t know why I’m bothering) Harry Popper. The little condom on the package wears Harry Potter’s trademark round glasses along with brandishing a wand and a devilish look.
You’d think it would be a major mojo boost for Daniel Radcliffe to get a condom company named after his Harry Potter character, but sadly Warner Bros. disagrees.
The Swiss condom brand “Harry Popper” is reportedly being sued for copyright infringement by the studio.
Gawker.com details the hubbub with a broken-English quote from the Swiss newspaper Bote: “For Warner Bros. is obvious: The sorcerer Harry Potter have a ‘very positive image.’ Condoms have no business there. Especially not now. According to Warner Bros. in November to plan the launch of the new Potter movie. Also a new video game is in preparation. The lawyer for Warner Bros. bluntly: ‘The image of my client is in danger.’ ”
There is no denying the correlation between the latex protectors and the ever-so-popular wizard movie. If the name didn’t do it for you, the illustration of a condom swinging a wand and wearing round-frame glasses will.
But more importantly, is it smart to market condoms with “popper” in the name, anyway?
[From E! Online]
I’m also reminded of an inappropriate but hilarious caption that our friends at The Blemish gave to a promotional image of Emma Watson in the upcoming Dealthy Hallows movie. (Part one of the two final Harry Potter films coming our way.)
The kids are all grown up now and Daniel Radcliffe has even shown the full monty on stage. He surely finds things like “Harry Popper” condoms and erotic fan fiction amusing, but Warner Brothers has a teen-oriented franchise to protect and they’re going to go after infringers. I can’t blame them, although it will make these “Harry Popper” condoms a collector’s item. I know I’d like to get my hands on some.
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 1 is out in November, with the final installment out in the summer of 2011. I’ve read all the books but am not eagerly anticipating the movies. The series lost its luster for me with the last film, Half Blood Prince, which I wasn’t able to sit through in the theater. I still haven’t seen the whole movie. You can yell at me now.
Harry Popper image thanks to Gawker. Other images are promotional stills via AllMoviePhoto and The Blemish
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