Asian News International Agency (ANI) has initiated legal proceedings against Netflix for unauthorized use of its content in the web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.”
The Netflix series, a dramatized recount of the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu, has faced controversy since its debut last month.
ANI’s lawsuit targets Netflix and the series’ producers, demanding the removal of four episodes that incorporated ANI’s content without permission. ANI’s lawyer, Sidhant Kumar, told Reuters that this misuse includes copyrighted footage and the ANI trademark.
Amidst significant backlash, particularly from social media and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, the show has been criticized for inaccurately depicting the hijackers. In response, Netflix added new disclaimers last week and clarified that the code names used in the show were the same as those used during the real events.
Kumar expressed concerns that the controversy surrounding the series has tarnished ANI’s trademark and brand reputation, leading to their demand for Netflix to remove the specified episodes.
The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear the case and has requested Netflix’s response.
Netflix has yet to comment on the issue, as reported by Reuters, which holds a minority stake in ANI. The historical context of the series stems from the December 1999 hijack, for which India holds Pakistan and Pakistan-based terrorist groups responsible. This crisis concluded with New Delhi’s release of three terrorists, including Masood Azhar.
