New Delhi: Netflix has vehemently denied allegations of plagiarism leveled by filmmaker Soham Shah against its popular Korean series, “Squid Game.” Shah claims that the concept of the series was lifted from his 2009 film, “Luck.”
In a statement, Netflix asserted that “Squid Game” is an original creation by Hwang Dong-hyuk, who began working on the script in 2009. The streaming giant emphasized that any similarities between the two works are purely coincidental and that “Squid Game” is a unique product of Hwang’s imagination.
Shah’s lawsuit, filed on Saturday, alleges that both “Luck” and “Squid Game” revolve around a group of people participating in deadly games for a chance to win a substantial jackpot. He points out that the premise, including the increasing prize pool with each player’s demise, is strikingly similar to that of the Korean series.
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However, Netflix maintains that Shah’s accusations lack merit and that “Squid Game” is a result of Hwang’s independent creative efforts. The streaming platform has vowed to defend its position vigorously in court.
This is not the first time Netflix has faced plagiarism allegations. The company is also embroiled in a separate lawsuit over its Emmy-nominated show, “Baby Reindeer.” The show’s creator, writer, and star, Richard Gadd, is accused of basing a character on the plaintiff, Fiona Harvey. A trial for this case is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
As the legal battle between Netflix and Soham Shah unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the streaming giant will be able to successfully defend its position and dismiss the plagiarism allegations.
