Deceased writer and director Humayun Ahmed's family members sent a legal notice to Grameenphone, the country's largest mobile phone operator, for infringing on intellectual property rights.
Grameenphone used four popular characters created by Humayun -- Baker Bhai from Kothao Keu Nei, Elachi Begum from Ayomoy, Sobhan Saheb from Bohubrihi and Taiyab Ali from Ure Jay Bok Pokkhi -- commercially without permission.
Barrister Hamidul Mizbah sent a legal notice to Grameenphone on behalf of Humayun's wife Meher Afroz Shaon, daughters Nova Ahmed, Sheela Ahmed and Bipasha Ahmed, son Nuhash Humayun, and brother Zafar Iqbal.
The mobile operator launched a series of promotional programmes in July 2020, under a campaign titled "Kemon Achen Tara", which was released on Grameenphone's official Facebook page and YouTube channel, for which no permission or licence was obtained from family members or heirs.
The episodes have over three million views.
The family claims Grameenphone did not comply with the customary laws for such use (of intellectual property), which resulted in a violation of the intellectual property law.
In this regard, Humayun's wife Shaon said that among the many characters created by Humayun Ahmed, Baker Bhai, Elachi Begum, Sobhan Saheb and Taiyab Ali are very popular and still in the hearts of the viewers.
Unauthorised and commercial use of all these characters are clear violations of Humayun Ahmed's intellectual property rights.
His family members said they will do their best to protect his intellectual property and rely on the existing laws in this regard.
In the legal notice, Humayun's family members have asked Grameenphone to remove the infringing episodes within three days and pay the financial compensation within 15 days.
The matter, otherwise, will be resolved through court, the late author's heirs said.
Contacted, Grameenphone said the legal notice was served in connection with a full-length radio show and an abridged social media content, originally produced by Radio Shadhin.
While the company reserves its rights and is currently assessing the legal notice, it took down the content from social media out of respect for Humayun Ahmed's family members.
It said it sincerely respects and treasures the contributions of the legendary author and honours the views and emotions his family.
