By portraying public and well-known stories, whether real or fictional, Netflix takes a risk: being legally criticized for some type of action and having to answer before the law.
The streaming platform has been facing this type of situation recently due to the miniseries case. Every Day the Same Nightreleased in January 2023. However, this is not the first time that Netflix has faced the possibility of a lawsuit.
Check out the following list of cases in which the company’s series ended up raising legal issues.
5. Will Netflix be sued over Every Day, Same Night?
(Source: Netflix/Disclosure)Source: Netflix
The miniseries Todo Dia a Mesma Noite, based on the book of the same name by Daniela Arbex, portrays the fire at the Kiss nightclub, in which 242 people were killed.
Recently, shortly after the launch of the production, about 40 family members came forward to announce that they can file a lawsuit against the company due to the lack of sensitivity in the trailer and episodes of the series, claiming that they were not consulted at any time.
- Nightclub Kiss: Association of victims disagrees with lawsuit against Netflix
With the possible legal action, the group of family members would be seeking support for the physical and psychological treatment of survivors, in addition to the construction of memorials for the victims of the fire. So far, Netflix has not issued any statement on the matter, but the victims’ association, which worked with streaming on the series, said it is against the lawsuit.
4. The Dahmer case
(Source: Netflix/Disclosure)Source: Netflix
The productions around Dahmer, as well as Every Day the Same Night, are based on true stories, focusing on the trajectory of murderer Jeffrey Dahmer. According to his father, Lionel Dahmer, the streaming platform never got in touch to ask for any kind of permission before giving life to productions that glorify, according to him, the terrible acts that were committed by his son.
In the case of Dahmer, two productions are identified as being outside the family’s control: Dahmer: An American Cannibalstarring Evan Peters, and the documentary Talking to a Serial Killer: The Milwaukee Cannibal.
3. The undue accusations in Inventing Anna
(Source: Netflix/Disclosure)Source: Netflix
Inventing Anna tells the story of a woman who made everyone believe that she had an inheritance, when, in fact, it was nothing more than a hoax.
The one who is suing Netflix is Rachel Williams, one of the characters who appear in the series and is portrayed by Katie Lowes. Throughout the episodes, she is shown as a manipulative and snobbish person, reasons enough to lead Williams’ lawyer to file a lawsuit.
He even reinforces how problematic it is that the streaming platform has kept Rachel’s real name and how this can destroy its reputation, considering the reach that the company has.
2. The possible lack of accountability in 13 Reasons Why
(Source: Netflix/Disclosure)Source: Netflix
The series 13 Reasons Why portrays the suicide of a young woman and tells, over the seasons, her motivation, as well as the effects that death had on the lives of the people around her.
- Teen Suicide Rises After 13 Reasons Why Premiere
Due to this, a father filed a lawsuit against Netflix after his daughter committed suicide. He points out that the series motivated, or at least contributed to, her decision to give up life, influenced by the facts portrayed in the production. In early 2022, the case was resolved in a court in the United States and was favorable to the streaming service.
1. False information and sexism in The Queen’s Gambit
(Source: Netflix/Disclosure)Source: Netflix
Another lawsuit filed against Netflix was justified by a speech made in The Queen’s Gambit, one of the main series on the platform. In it, the name of Nona Gaprindashvili, one of the greatest chess players in history, is mentioned, but the speech is full of sexism and untruth, as the athlete’s defense claims.
The text, taken from the full, reads: “The only unusual thing about her, really, is her gender. And even this is not unique in Russia. There is Nona Gaprindashvili, but she is the female world champion and has never faced men.”
- The Queen’s Gambit: Brazilian chess player analyzes Netflix series
Gaprindashvili argues that, at the time, she had already faced more than 59 men, including Grand Masters, those who are prominent in the field, which is why she decided to challenge the false information presented in the series.
In addition, the speech also portrays Gaprindashvili as a Russian woman when she is actually Georgian, another argument used by the victim’s defense during the conduct of the process.
In September 2022, Netflix was able to reach an agreement with the chess player and close the lawsuit, which initially asked for compensation of US$ 5 million. However, the final terms of the legal action were not revealed.
