Hong Kong Harry Potter-themed cafe sued by Warner Bros
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The 9¾ Harry Potter-themed Hong Kong cafe has been sued by Warner Bros for copyright infringement. The cafe, open since 2017, has never claimed to have a formal relationship with the Harry Potter franchise – although it is festooned with art and props made famous in the popular book and movie series. Trademarks registered by the studio within the territory of Hong Kong, including “Harry Potter”, “quidditch”, “muggles”, “Professor McGonagall” and “dementors” are used liberally at the venue. Iconic features and images from the films are used in the cafe’s interior design, including the Gryffindor coat of arms and the Hogwarts Express train ticket for Platform 9¾.
Located on Yin Chong Street in Mong Kok, the cafe features wall-mounted wands and broomsticks, stuffed owls, portraits of witches and wizards, and faux candlelight. There is even a half-disappearing luggage trolley, as featured at King’s Cross Station, complete with Hedwig in a cage.
The drinks menu of the Harry Potter-themed Hong Kong cafe includes some Harry Potter-specific concoctions, such as the Polyjuice Potion, Amortentia love potion, golden Felix Felicis (aka “liquid luck”), and Veritaserum. Visitors 18 years and older can down a pint of Butterbeer.
For food, the cafe serves Western starters and mains named after mythical creatures and charms from the Harry Potter series, such as the soft-shell crab Aragog salad, Romanian longhorn pumpkin pasta (after one of the dragons from Goblet of Fire), and Prior Incantato cream of mushroom soup.
Warner Bros is seeking an unspecified sum of damages, a removal order plus multiple injunctions.
Questions & Answers
Q.What specifically is Warner Bros accusing the cafe of doing wrong?
What specifically is Warner Bros accusing the cafe of doing wrong?
Warner Bros is suing the cafe for copyright infringement. The cafe uses numerous registered trademarks, iconic features, images, and specific concoctions from the Harry Potter franchise without permission, despite never claiming a formal relationship.
Q.What is Warner Bros asking the court for if they win the case?
What is Warner Bros asking the court for if they win the case?
Warner Bros is seeking an unspecified sum of damages from the cafe. They are also requesting a removal order for infringing items, along with multiple injunctions to prevent further unauthorised use of their intellectual property.
Q.Where is the cafe located and how long has it been open?
Where is the cafe located and how long has it been open?
The cafe is situated on Yin Chong Street in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. It has been operating since 2017, using Harry Potter themes and names without formal authorisation for several years before the lawsuit.
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