A legal dispute over the title of a film directed by Ladj Ly, titled Dumas – Diable noir, has been paused for further consideration until November 17. This decision follows a hearing on October 5 before the Paris Court of First Instance. The case involves writer Claude Ribbe, who is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the use of the phrase "Le Diable noir" or its variations for the film. Ribbe is the author of a biography titled Le Diable noir, published in 2008, and also wrote a novel with the same title, released in May 2026. He registered the trademark "Le Diable noir" with France's INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) on November 19, 2024, for film-related activities. The Ladj Ly film was initially announced under the title Dumas – Diable noir as early as October 22, 2024. It was later listed in cinema registries under Le Premier Dumas in November 2025, before officially being named Dumas – Diable noir on July 3, 2026. The production company, Chapter 2, has challenged the validity of Ribbe’s trademark, arguing that "Le Diable noir" is a historical nickname given to General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas by the Austrians during the Italian campaign in 1797. The company also claims that the trademark was registered in bad faith. Ribbe acknowledges that the nickname appears in the memoirs of Alexandre Dumas, but he argues that no contemporary documents from the 1797 campaign confirm that the Austrians used the term at that time. He maintains that historical evidence must include documents from before Alexandre Dumas’s writings or independent historical sources. The judge will examine whether this alleged prior use of the nickname affects the legal validity of the trademark and its use for the film. The production company's lawyers stated that Dumas – Diable noir is still a provisional title, and the film might eventually be released under Le Diable noir. The film, distributed by Pathé, continues to be publicly presented under the title Dumas – Diable noir. It stars Théo Christine as Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, alongside Omar Sy, Vincent Cassel, François Civil, and Galatéa Bellugi. Scheduled for release on October 13, 2027, it has a budget of nearly 42 million euros, making it one of the largest French productions in recent years. The film has been pre-sold to Disney+ and Netflix and receives public funding, especially for its visual effects. Chapter 2, the production company, has previously produced notable French films such as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. The judge has asked the parties to consider a possible compromise and has suggested a meeting as part of a conciliation effort. However, no agreement has been reached so far, and the case remains pending the court’s decision, expected on November 17.