Netflix Sued by alleged Inspiration for “Ferry” Character
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Adrianus van wesenbek, a former drug baron, claims the shows defame him and infringe on his publicity rights.
Netflix is facing a lawsuit from Adrianus van Wesenbek, a former Dutch drug baron, over the portrayal of a character loosely based on his life in the shows “Undercover” and “Ferry.” The suit alleges defamation, copyright infringement, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of publicity rights.
Filed in Florida on Tuesday, the federal lawsuit claims that the two franchises, consisting of three seasons of “Undercover” and two “Ferry” films, depict characters inspired by Van Wesenbek as brutal serial killers and human traffickers, causing “notable financial damage.”
While the lawsuit acknowledges that Netflix has never explicitly stated the projects are direct adaptations of Van Wesenbek’s life, it notes that actors portraying the roles have confirmed the connection in the press, and the projects have been widely reported as such. Van Wesenbek, also known as “Janus,” was never accused of murder or human trafficking but was convicted and imprisoned in Belgium from 2011 too 2015 for drug trafficking, criminal association, and money laundering.
Allegations of Defamation and Copyright Infringement
“These deliberate and misleading presentations have caused significant harm… falsely linking the claimant with the nature of the ferry Bouman.”
the lawsuit specifically targets the film “Ferry 2,” claiming it used copyrighted material from Van Wesenbek’s book “Drug Baron” and an advertising song that allegedly humiliates van Wesenbek and his late wife, Lydia.
Van Wesenbek is seeking over $26 million in actual damages, more than $50 million in compensatory damages, and fines exceeding $50 million. He is also seeking profits from the “Ferry” and “Undercover” franchises, estimated at over $166 million, and also royalties and other available remedies.
The “Ferry” franchise centers on the character Ferry Bouman, loosely based on Van Wesenbek’s life. The latest movie, “Ferry 2,” was released on December 20 of last year. “Undercover” premiered in 2019, with subsequent seasons in November 2020 and november 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is defamation?
- Defamation is the act of making false statements that harm someone’s reputation. It can take the form of libel (writen statements) or slander (spoken statements).
- What is copyright infringement?
- Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder.
- Who is Adrianus van Wesenbek?
- Adrianus van Wesenbek is a former Dutch drug baron who was convicted and imprisoned for drug trafficking, criminal association, and money laundering.
