'Mortal Instruments' Cassandra Clare Plagiarism Suit Explained, Chart Compares Characters To 'Dark Hunters' [VIDEO]
The Mortal Instruments Cassandra Clare is in the headlines once more, and not in a good way.
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Clare has battled plagiarism accusations before, both in the fanfiction community and in the young adult market, and now that Freeform's Shadowhunters is picking up steam, Dark Hunters author Sherrilyn Kenyon has filed a suit once more.
Kenyon's best-selling series hit shelves back in 1998, nine years before Clare published the first installment of the Mortal Instruments series. Kenyon lodged a complaint with Clare back in 2006 over the use of the word Shadowhunter and a logo similar to one from the Dark Hunter series, but was assured that term would be limited, reports The Marry Sue. Now, however, the term and the mark have come to greater prominence thanks to the TV series.
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The new complaint "alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and trade dress infringement based on Clare's books, movie, television show, and all related merchandise," according to Pop IP Law. Kenyon believes the series has undergone a complete rebranding to the detriment of her works.
Unfortunately for Clare, the suit complaint also includes a chart that compares the characters and plots of Dark Hunter and The Mortal Instruments (you can see it here). Fortunately for Clare, the elapsed time between the novel's debut and the complaint can work in her favor.
If you want to know more about the suit and the nuances of trademark law, Pop IP Law will easily cut through the legalese for you here.
What do you think? Has Clare gone to far, or do the genres of urban fantasy and teen paranormal romance promote the use of similar story lines and plot devices? Sound off in the poll below.
Shadowhunters airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Freeform. Check out a preview for episode 6 here.
