We are pretty sure that you heard about quite popular Netflix’ series called Narcos. Well, that show is the reason for this lawsuit. Apparently, Pablo Escobar’s brother, Roberto De Jesus Escobar Gaviria, is threatening Netflix with a copyright claim of $1 billion against the quite popular show, at least according to the info provided by the Hollywood Reporter.
Thanks to the document from the Hollywood Reporter we found out that Escobar Inc., the company owned by Pablo Escobar’s brother Roberto de Jesus Escobar Gaviria filed a lawsuit against Netflix and are asking a $1 billion for unlawful use of Medellí cartel founder’s name and story. These are all the new details that were brought to light by THR. If you recall Gaviria stated, back in 2014 for the VICE, that his past life is “all behind me…I do good now,” but apparently that isn’t so. Gaviria used the Monday THR interview to threat the Netflix and warn them that he intends to pursue his way with the full weight of his previous connections. Bizarre isn’t it, but hey who would argue, or even try to call the bluff of the guy like Gaviria.
This man even stated that “I don’t want Netflix or any other film production company to film any movies in Medellin or Colombia that relates to me or my brother Pablo without authorization from Escobar Inc.”, and added that “It is very dangerous. Especially without our blessing. This is my country.” When Gaviria was asked if and what precautions should the Narcos crew take, especially when they have a recent shooting and unsolved murder of one of veteran Narcos location scouts Carlos Muñoz Portal, he answered by saying “Netflix should provide hitmen to their people as security.” Given the lawsuit that he brought up and his history and previous “endeavors” we believe that Gaviria is serious as it can get.
Since we mentioned the shooting and the unsolved murder of Carlos Muñoz Portal, we should also note that Netflix gave a prompt and brief statement about the incident and they offered condolences to the family and stated that the details of Carlos’ death are still unknown. If you didn’t catch that news, we will remind you that Carlos’ car was found pierced by bullets near the border of Mexico’s Hidalgo state. Think what you want but this MO is very familiar, isn’t it? This incident is not going to benefit Netflix and thanks to it the future of the show Narcos is still unknown, but if the company refuses to pay the asked sum, Gaviria very clearly promised one thing – “If we don’t receive it, we will close their little show,” and you better believe it.
