While Black Mirror: Bandersnatch continues to give people heart palpitations by forcing us to make decisions about the main character’s cereal, Netflix is being sued for using the phrase “choose your own adventure” to advertise the pioneering movie event.
Children's book publisher Chooseco, LLC that apparently owns the trademark to "Choose Your Own Adventure," and its filing a lawsuit against the streaming giant for Bandersnatch. As The Hollywood Reporter points out, Chooseco has been using the trademark since the 1980s and has sold more than 265 million copies of its Choose Your Own Adventure series. On top of that, according to the complaint filed in Vermont federal court, 20th Century Fox currently holds the rights to develop an interactive series based on the popular franchise.
Netflix has reportedly been pursuing the license since 2016, but never got it. "Chooseco and Netflix engaged in extensive negotiations that were ongoing for a number of years, but Netflix did not receive a license," the complaint states. "On at least one occasion before the release of Bandersnatch, Chooseco sent a written cease and desist request to Netflix asking Netflix to stop using the CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE mark in connection with its marketing efforts for another television program."
Chooseco is claiming that Netflix has benefited by using its brand, and also confused viewers with its association. The company also says it’s suffered harm to its reputation for being connected to the grim series.
This isn’t the first time Chooseco has sued over its trademark. It previously sued DaimlerChrysler for using the "Choose your Adventure" slogan in a case that was eventually settled.
