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The Grammy-winning team behind an unofficial Bridgerton musical is being sued by Netflix in Washington, U.S. District Court for infringement.

Songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear were the minds behind the popular adaptation of the hit television series. They staged a live concert of “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album Live in Concert” at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. earlier this week, selling out the venue.

Netflix originally hailed the concept when it debuted as a free online tribute. But when that expanded to a profitable business, things got sticky.

“Defendants Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear and their companies (“Barlow & Bear”) took valuable intellectual property from the Netflix original series Bridgerton in order to build an international brand for themselves,” the lawsuit stated. “Bridgerton reflects the creative work and hard-won success of hundreds of artists and Netflix employees. Netflix owns the exclusive right to create Bridgerton songs, musicals or any other derivative works based on Bridgerton. Barlow & Bear cannot take that right – valued of other people’s hard work – for themselves, without permission. Yet that’s exactly what they did.”

Netflix claims it made “repeated objection” to the stage show, which sold tickets for up to $149 each. VIP packages were even more expensive.

The live show had more than a dozen songs that allegedly copied literal dialogue, character and expression, and other elements of Bridgerton’s series.

“During the performance, Barlow & Bear misrepresented to the audience that they were using Netflix’s BRIDGERTON trademark “with Permission,” the lawsuit further states.

The lawsuit also notes that in addition to the Grammy-winning album, the couple plans to tour, with a date at London’s Royal Albert Hall coming up. There are also allegedly plans for a line of merchandise, the suit claims.

Netflix has its own “Bridgerton Experience,” a six-city event in direct competition. “Netflix owns the exclusive right to create Bridgerton songs, musicals or any other derivative works based on Bridgerton.”

Barlow & Urso has not yet commented on the lawsuit. Their version of the musical was developed on social media in real time, with lead vocals by Barlow and instrumentation, production and additional vocals by Bear. The record hit number 1 on the iTunes US pop charts, streaming more than 45 million times. It won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.

Netflix, Shonda Rhimes and the author of the “Bridgerton” novel series Julia Quinn also released statements.

“Netflix supports fan-generated content, but Barlow & Bear took this many steps further, seeking to create multiple income streams for himself without formal permission to use the Bridgerton IP. We tried to work with Barlow & Bear, and they refused to cooperate. The creators, cast, writers and crew poured their hearts and souls into Bridgerton, and we are taking action to protect their rights.” – Netflix spokesperson

“It’s such a joy to see audiences fall in love with Bridgerton and watch the creative ways they express their fandom. What started as a fun celebration of Barlow & Bear on social media turned into the blatant taking of intellectual property just for Barlow & The financial benefit of Bear. This property was created by Julia Quinn and brought to life on screen through the hard work of countless individuals. Just as Barlow & Bear would not allow others to appropriate its IP for profit, Netflix cannot stand by and allow Barlow & Let’s do the same with Bridgerton.” – Shonda Rhimes

“Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are very talented, and I was flattered and thrilled when they started composing Bridgerton songs and sharing with other fans on TikTok. There is a difference, however, between composing on TikTok and recording and performing for commercial gain. I would hope , that Barlow & Bear, who share my position as independent creative professionals, understand the need to protect the intellectual property of other professionals, including the characters and stories I created in the Bridgerton novels over twenty years ago.” – Julia Quinn

The legal documents can be found here.

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