Choose Your Own Adventure book publisher sues Netflix over Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Netflix will soon need to choose its own legal argument in response to a $25 million lawsuit.
The streaming platform is being sued by Chooseco, the publisher of the Choose Your Own Adventure books, over Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This recently-released interactive movie, a part of the popular sci-fi anthology show, asks viewers to make decisions throughout the narrative in order to steer the plot.
Chooseco says that it has a contract to make its own series based on the books, the name of which is trademarked, and that Netflix had been trying to negotiate a license with them for years but never obtained it. Chooseco argues that Netflix is profiting off its brand name with Bandersnatch, which features a scene in which one of the main characters refers to a "choose your own adventure book." The plot revolves around his attempt to turn that book into a video game.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The book in question is fictional, though, and it's not branded as being part of the Chooseco Choose Your Own Adventure series on the front cover depicted in the movie. And as the Reporter notes, Netflix didn't actually promote Bandersnatch as being a "choose your own adventure" film, even if it was widely referred to that way by fans. Netflix hasn't yet responded to the lawsuit, but Chooseco is asking for either $25 million in damages or Netflix's profit on the movie, depending on which is higher.
Netflix reportedly has grand plans for more interactive content after Bandersnatch, including movies in other genres. But if this court case is anything like Bandersnatch itself, it will have a wide variety of possible endings that are each even bleaker than the last.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published