Taje Monbo and Deafueh Monbo, creators of 12 O'Clock Boyz, issued a notice to HBO Max and its owner, Warner Media over copyright infringement. They advised HBO Max to stop the release and distribution of the adaptation film, Charm City Kings. It is alleged that Charm City Kings contains some copyrighted elements which have been taken from the original 12 O'Clock Boyz film series which were released in 2001 and 2003.

The fact of sending notice was announced in a press release which was organized by the creators of the 2001 Baltimore dirt bike documentary 12 O’Clock Boyzon Wednesday, October 21.

"Neither Overbrook Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Will Smith, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Lotfy Nathan nor Red Gap Film Group cleared, or licensed the rights to prepare derivative work based on the 12 O'Clock Boyz Copyrighted Works," says the Monbos' copyright infringement notice.

"The use of the copyrighted elements from the original 12 O'Clock Boyz films (the "Copyrighted Work") in the adaptation film, Charm City Kings is an infringement of the Monbos exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. §106 to reproduce the Copyrighted Work and to prepare derivative works based upon the Copyrighted Work. The release and distribution of the adaptation film, Charm City Kings containing copyrighted elements from the original 12 O'Clock Boyz films infringe the Monbo's exclusive rights to distribute copies of the Copyrighted Work and to perform the Copyrighted Work publicly," says the Monbos' copyright infringement notice.

"Pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Act, HBO Max, and Warner Media will be held liable for contributory copyright infringement. Contributory copyright infringement by HBO Max and Warner Media arises when HBO Max and Warner Media contribute to or facilitate infringing acts carried out by another party", says Monbo's copyright infringement notice.

Monbos issued a long line of desisting and cease letters to many companies before as well. But nowadays issuing copyright infringement notices is what being used by them. Apart from HBO Max, companies like AMC Theatres, Caribbean Cinemas, Cinemark Cinemas, Regal Cinemas, Sundance, Target, Alliance Entertainment, and Kanopyalso received notices for copyright infringement this year by Monbos.

"Target appreciates the importance of intellectual property and is committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others,” said Target. As a result, Lotfy Nathan's 12 O'Clock Boys (2013) film will not be sold at Target stores anymore.

Alliance Entertainment issued a letter in which they stated that "Alliance Entertainment takes all matters of alleged intellectual property infringement seriously.  And the distribution of Lotfy Nathan's 12 O'Clock Boys (2013) film has been put on legal hold, halting distribution since May 2018."

“Despite receiving copyright infringement notices in 2017, 2018, and a final notice in June 2020, Kanopy has refused to comply with the takedown," said Monbo.

"We will undertake all appropriate steps to protect the 12 O'Clock Boyz copyrighted works and trademarks," said DeafuehMonbo.

In case Monbo et al v. Nathan et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 1:18-CV-059302018, legal action was filed by Monbos in 2018 against Lotfy Nathan, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Overbrook Entertainment, and Will Smith alleging that unauthorized use has been done the copyrighted works along with trademarks which are associated to 12 O'Clock Boyz. Eric Blair, Daniel Berger, and others are named as defendants in the lawsuit for having some roles in the acts of production, distribution, and adaptation of Lotfy Nathan's 12 O'Clock Boys (2013) film. The suit is still pending in the federal courts.

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