A small British café which hosts regular Harry Potter-themed events recently found itself facing a legal threat from prominent film studio Warner Bros.
The Flower Café, Plymouth, was reportedly challenged by the major studio on grounds of copyright infringement in relation to a number of popular events it had hosted throughout October and November this year.
The disputed events encouraged locals to dress up as their favourite characters from J.K. Rowling’s hugely successful Harry Potter novels.
But Warner Bros – the film studio which produced the equally popular Harry Potter movie adaptations – has in recent days issued an official letter to the family-owned café requesting that it change the name of its events, or else face further legal action.
According to reports, The Flower Café has now changed the name of the popular tea parties to ‘Wizards Afternoon Tea’.
Its owners, Shelley and Michelle Whiting, took to social media to express their frustration and disappointment.
In a recent Facebook post, they said: “Due to some ‘delightful’ person contacting Warner Bros. & the infringement of ‘copyright’… our tiny little family run cafe has been advised to change the name of one of our Afternoon Teas – so it will now be known as a ‘Wizards Afternoon Tea’ but it will still be just as magical & yummy!”
Neither the owners of the café, nor Warner Bros, have issued an official statement in relation to the dispute.