Netflix Inc. on Friday sued the creators of an alleged unauthorized musical stage manufacturing of its standard interval drama “Bridgerton,” accusing them of copyright infringement after constructing demand for his or her knockoff on TikTok.
The criticism was filed in opposition to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear within the federal courtroom in Washington, three days after a sold-out efficiency of “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” in that metropolis’s Kennedy Center.
A lawyer for the defendants had no quick remark, having but to assessment the criticism.
“Bridgerton,” based mostly on Julia Quinn’s bestselling romance novels, attracted 82 million viewers within the first 4 weeks of the sequence’ debut on Netflix, a document on the time. It was renewed for a second season, and impressed a spin-off sequence and reside occasion, “The Queen’s Ball,” hosted in six cities.
Netflix stated after “Bridgerton” was first launched in December 2020, the defendants began posting concerning the sequence to TikTok, the place they’ve 2.4 million followers, together with creating songs based mostly on characters, scenes, dialogue and plot factors.
The firm stated it warned the defendants repeatedly to cease, however they plowed forward with an album titled “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,” which received a Grammy award, and their stage present.
“Barlow & Bear’s conduct began on social media, but stretches ‘fan fiction’ well past its breaking point,” Netflix stated. “It is blatant infringement of intellectual property rights.”
This week, Barlow and Bear’s musical was carried out in entrance of a sold-out crowd on the Kennedy Center in Washington, the place Netflix was internet hosting its personal reside “Bridgerton” expertise.
The Kennedy Center present “attracted Bridgerton fans who would have otherwise attended the Bridgerton Experience and created confusion as to whether Netflix had approved of Barlow & Bear’s unauthorized derivative works,” Netflix stated within the lawsuit.
A September efficiency is deliberate for Royal Albert Hall in London, the swimsuit claims.
Series creator Shonda Rhimes stated in an announcement that whereas there may be “so much joy” in seeing audiences fall in love with “Bridgerton” and discover inventive methods to precise their appreciation, “what started as a fun celebration by Barlow & Bear on social media has turned into the blatant taking of intellectual property solely for Barlow & Bear’s financial benefit.”
Author Quinn added that she was “flattered and delighted” when Barlow and Bear started composing ‘Bridgerton’ songs and sharing with their different followers on TikTok. “There is a difference, however, between composing on TikTok and recording and performing for commercial gain,” she stated in an announcement.
The lawsuit seeks to cease the alleged infringements, plus unspecified damages.