Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL), known for Killer Jeans, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix over its series ‘Killer Soup,’ featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Konkana Sen Sharma. KKCL claims trademark infringement and is seeking Rs 25 crore in damages– today(March 11), with a hearing scheduled at the Bombay High Court.
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MUMBAI: Last week(on 9th March), Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL), renowned for its popular apparel brand Killer Jeans, has initiated a lawsuit against the global streaming behemoth Netflix. The contention arises from the title of Netflix’s new series, “Killer Soup,” featuring acclaimed actors Manoj Bajpayee and Konkana Sen Sharma. KKCL alleges that the series’ title infringes on its trademark rights by incorporating the word “Killer,” a term closely associated with its own brand identity. The company is reportedly seeking an ambitious Rs 25 crore in damages and demands the removal of any infringing content. The legal proceedings are set to commence with a hearing in the Bombay High Court on today (March 11).
KKCL, a fixture on the National Stock Exchange, witnessed a slight dip in its stock price to Rs 736.85, marking a decrease of Rs 3.65 from its previous close, as observed on Thursday. The financial markets were closed on Friday due to the Mahashivarati festival, pausing any further immediate impact on the company’s stock valuation.
The series at the heart of the dispute, “Killer Soup,” is described as an unconventional crime drama where a woman orchestrates her husband’s murder to start anew with another man, eerily similar in appearance but starkly different in demeanor. Released on January 11, 2024, on Netflix, the show has garnered positive reviews, particularly for Manoj Bajpayee’s dual portrayal of the murdered spouse and his meek doppelganger.
The following a notice issued by KKCL’s legal team to Netflix and the series’ producer, Macguffin Pictures, demanding the removal of the contentious word “Killer” from both the series’ title and its promotional materials.
In a press statement dated March 9, KKCL articulated its stance:
“Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited, known for producing ‘KILLER JEANS,’ has taken legal recourse by filing a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against the creators of the web series ‘KILLER SOUP,’ accusing them of violating their trademark ‘KILLER.’ The defendants in the case include Macguffin Pictures LLP and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP. This legal matter underscores critical concerns regarding trademark rights and the safeguarding of brands within the entertainment sector.”
Despite the brewing legal storm, Netflix has yet to formally address the allegations. However, a report by INC 42 highlighted that-
“Netflix has said it is examining the matter but did not admit to any allegations, as per the plea filed by the company.”
The legal notice sent by KKCL to Netflix earlier in January underscores the gravity of the situation:
“By using the mark ‘Killer’ as part of the name of your web series, you are guilty of infringing our client’s rights under the said registered trademark ‘Killer’. Such use of the mark ‘Killer’ by you will cause irreparable loss, harm, and damage to our client’s mark and the reputation and goodwill generated thereunder. Such use will also result in dilution of its mark which will weaken the said mark and cause irreparable harm, loss, and damage to our client.”
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Furthermore, KKCL is not only seeking a prohibitive injunction against the use of the word “Killer” in Netflix’s series but also demands a substantial compensation of Rs 10 crore for the alleged damages caused by the infringement.
