Netflix sued the team behind it “Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” Grammy-winning lyricist-composer duo infringe on hit show’s intellectual property, according to complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, DC
Abigail Barlow and Emily Baer staged a “commercial” sold-out show at the Kennedy Center on Friday, with ticket prices fluctuating up to $149 without Netflix’s permission, a lawsuit claimed Friday.Barlow and Bear also promote branded products, Upcoming performances at the Royal Albert Hall in Londondepending on the suit.
Barlow and Bear, who first gained popularity for their “Bridgerton”-themed TikTok shoot, beat out Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cinderella” and Conor McPherson’s “Girl from the North Country” to win this year’s Grammy Awards. It won Best Musical Theater Album. The 15-song “Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” album contains songs written from the perspective of the Netflix show’s central couple, Daphne in his Bridgerton and Simon in the Duke of Hastings, Bassett in his compositions. House Social was shaped by feedback from his media audience.
“While Netflix supports fan-generated content, Barlow & Bear is taking it a step further, making multiple revenue streams their own without formal permission to utilize the ‘Bridgerton’ IP. “We tried very hard to work with Barlow & Bear, but they refused to cooperate.”
Barlow and Bear did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. In an interview with The Times after the Grammy Awards, they said Netflix gave their lawyers permission to turn their songs into albums. When asked, Bear said, “We don’t own the IP, so it’s out of our court.
Among the lawsuit’s specific counterarguments, the musical’s opening track, “Tis the Season,” alleges that it uses dialogue similar to that spoken by Mrs. Whistledown, the town’s gossip writer, in the television series, claiming the track “If I Were a Man” reflects Eloise Bridgerton’s desire to escape the cage of marriage.
Netflix sued Barlow and Bear on four counts, including copyright infringement and trademark infringement. The lawsuit states that Netflix was willing to negotiate a license to allow him to distribute his live performances and albums, but both sides refused.
Produced by Shonda Rhimes and based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, the “Bridgerton” series chronicles the 19th-century British marriage market with a modern twist, featuring a diverse cast and classic mix of pop music hits. It reflects the take.
“It’s been so much fun to see our audience fall in love with Bridgerton and see the creative ways they express their fandom,” Rhimes wrote in a statement. What began as a blatant acquisition of intellectual property for Barlow & Bear’s sole financial gain.”
According to the complaint, after the release of Barlow and Bear’s album, Netflix told them to “The Queen’s Ball: The Bridgerton Experience‘ is playing in select cities on Netflix. Guests will be able to interact with “Bridgerton”-themed characters at the event in a Regency-era setting, complete with live music from the show’s soundtrack and ball gowns.
Quinn, who described Barlow and Bear as very talented, wrote in a statement that she was delighted when they performed on TikTok and began composing a song dedicated to “Bridgerton.” There is a difference between posting on TikTok and seeking commercial gain, she wrote.
“Barlow & Bear, who shares my position as an independent creative professional, has acquired the intellectual property of other professionals, including the characters and stories I created in the Bridgerton novels over 20 years ago. I hope you understand the need to protect,” Quinn wrote. ..
