The Chairperson of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), Ms Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante has urged the Ghana National Folklore Board to consider a dialogue with international movie production company, Marvel Studios, producers of Black Panther, instead of a legal suit over the breach of Ghana’s Kente patent.
The Board recently announced its intention to initiate legal action against the American firm, Marvel Studios, for using the country’s celebrated traditional fabric, Kenta in some of the costume for the famous Black Panther movie, without appropriate permission.
The acting Director of the Folklore Board, Nana Adjoa Adobea said the board is “preparing a legal dossier” against Marvel Studios over the alleged patent and copyright breaches.
According to her, Marvel Studios was required under copyright laws to have sought permission from the Folklore Board before using Ghana’s Kente in the film that broke several box office records, netting 1.344 billion dollars as of May 22, 2018.
But the Chairperson of NAFTI is calling for calm in pursuing the matter.
Reacting to the issue in a post on Linkedin, Ms Asante advised against any court litigation, fearing that litigation would be counterproductive to the objective of the Board.
She believes an effective dialogue between the Board and the movie producer would provide amicable resolution of the matter.
Ms Asante explained that taking such a legal action against an international movie company like Marvel, would not only derail the country’s efforts in promoting film tourism, but will also make it difficult to promote Ghana as film hub in Africa.
Benjamin Nana Appiah/www.adrdaily.com
