A controversy arose over OP Pohjolan’s Kumman kaa ad, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
Minna Koskela and Heli Sutela starred in the Kumman kaa series that aired in 2003–2005. Four
Which one? -the creators of the television series have demanded compensation of 100,000 euros from OP Pohjola, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
The reason is a television commercial presented by OP Pohjola, in which a woman asks another woman: “Which one, Batman or Robin.” Another woman answers: “Do you have to choose.”
The turns heard in the ad are remarkably similar to the frequent exchange of words known from the hit series.
Which one? Liisa Akimof, the producer in charge of Production House, which produced the series, tells Helsingin Sanomat that she sent OP Pohjola an irritated email about the matter.
Akimof tells HS that he acquired trademark protection 23 years ago. Akimof says that OP Pohjola regretted its ad after checking that Production House has a trademark. The advertisement was stopped shortly after this.
– I thanked him for stopping and stated that the matter could be agreed upon later with something like this [sadallatuhannella eurolla]. They announced that they would not pay anything, Akimof tells HS.
Brand director of OP Pohjola Päivi Svens tells HS that its position is that the ad does not offend Which one? -trademark or any copyright of Fremantle, which owns Production House.
Which one? – comedy series was made for two production seasons in 2003–2005. The main stars of the series, Minna Koskela and Heli Sutela, also act as its screenwriters.
The series, which has become very popular, has been rerun several times over the years and is currently being shown on Nelonen’s paid Ruutu+ streaming service.
