'Potter' similarity delays movie's release

New Delhi -- Release of the movie "Hari Puttar" has been delayed by an Indian court hearing a lawsuit charging the name is too similar to that of the "Harry Potter" films.

The Indian movie had been scheduled for release Friday, but the court ruling means it will not be released until the end of this month, the BBC reported.

Warner Bros. sued the "Puttar" creators for allegedly infringing on its popular cinematic series. "Puttar" features a 10-year-old boy who must try to save the world after moving to Britain with his family.

Mirchi Movies, the studio behind "Puttar," contend the storyline has nothing to do with the popular U.S. movie series about a young wizard, adding the studio registered the title in 2005.

Mirchi officials told the BBC "Puttar" means "son" in Hindi, while "Hari" is merely a popular Indian name.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.