Netflix May Face a Lawsuit From the Satanic Temple Over 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'

Fortune ^ | 11/02/18 | Renae Reints

[Simon Green]

Netflix could soon face legal action from the Satanic Temple, a religious group that claims its copyrighted design of the deity Baphomet was used without permission in the The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

In Sabrina—the streaming service’s recently released, spooky rendition of Sabrina the Teenage Witch—the statue of a large goat-headed figure appears as Satan in a handful of episodes. A statue of this figure flanked by two children appears as a centerpiece in Sabrina’s school of witchcraft, the Academy of the Unseen Arts.

According to Lucien Greaves, co-founder and spokesperson of the Satanic Temple, this statue appropriated the religion’s copyrighted monument. He tweeted the group’s intent to take legal action on Sunday.

Greaves also shared a side-by-side comparison of the Satanic Temple’s statue and the figure from Netflix’s Sabrina, showing the near-identical resemblance.

He later defended the decision to seek legal action against Netflix in another tweet, implying Netflix’s use of the statue promotes false stereotypes about the Satanic Temple.

Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the goat deity appears as an imposing, powerful figure that demands witches sign their allegiance to him, the Dark Lord, in exchange for their magical powers. This also requires them to do his bidding and follow the practices of the Church of Night, which includes rites of human sacrifice.

In a statement to CNN, the Satanic Temple’s legal counsel further explained the reason for legal action, adding that this representation of Baphomet is “completely antithetical” to what the religion stands for.

[a fool in paradise]

How do you copyright a religion?

[Steely Tom]

Publicity stunt, pre-arranged between Netflix and Baphomet.

I’m sure the court that hears this will love being used to get eyeballs for Netflix.

[lee martell]

Lucien; you didn’t create that Devil all by yourself, you had help. That representation has been around for centuries in both art and literature.

What, are you afraid they might give The Devil a bad name?
I thought that was always the point.

[VanDeKoik]

I saw a few episodes.

It is REALLY satanic-themed, mixed with a load of SJW undertones + deceptions of under-age sexual situations. I was actually really put-off, and I dont get like that easily.

It REALLY isnt appropriate for young people at all if you remember the old TGIF version.

[freedumb2003]

>>Publicity stunt, pre-arranged between Netflix and Baphomet.<<

Yep.

[Chode]

shoulda used this one...

[Karliner]

Odd how they’re so non Christian and boycotts never make the headlines but a satanic statue is appropriated and it’s headline news.

[Covenantor]

... but a satanic statue is appropriated and it’s headline news.

Well, they kept this quiet for a bit....

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[NorthMountain]

How do you copyright a religion?

Ask L. Ron Hubbard ...

[editor-surveyor]

.
The Barfomet!

[NorthMountain]

It’s the most accurate portrayal of Her Heinous that I’ve ever seen.

[Karliner]

Oh sweet lordy, dunno if Soetero or Hildary is scarier but I’m stocking up on crosses and silver bullets just in case.

[HoneysuckleTN]

I saw a few episodes. It is REALLY satanic-themed, mixed with a load of SJW undertones + deceptions of under-age sexual situations. I was actually really put-off, and I dont get like that easily. It REALLY isnt appropriate for young people at all if you remember the old TGIF version.

Same here. Watched a couple of eps, but won't bother with the rest. The Melissa Joan Hart version was too goofy, but this one is too dark, satanic, and PC. The only positive in this new version is that Sabrina did refuse to sign the book and will be at odds with all the baddies.

[KarlInOhio]

How do you copyright a religion?

Can you print a copy of the King James Bible in the UK without the queen's permission? I think the crown still holds that copyright.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Lucien; you didn’t create that Devil all by yourself, you had help. That representation has been around for centuries in both art and literature."

That was my thought. This specific image might be the creation of this group, but it is almost identical to similar images which have been around for centuries, and which this group obviously copied to a large degree when they made their own version. It's almost like someone claiming copyright to a crucifix.

[Scrambler Bob]

EEK

I can almost see up “her?” skirt.

Where the Demons come from.

[a fool in paradise]

Do they own the patent on crosses too?

[unlearner]

So the executives at Netflix are suing themselves for misrepresenting their own religion?

I guess these things happen when splitting the soul too thin.