Netflix is suing the creators of an unofficial 'Bridgerton' musical, Shonda Rhimes says 'fun celebration' has turned into 'blatant taking of intellectual property'

• Netflix is suing the creators of "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical" for infringement of copyright.
• Netflix said creators Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear organized live performances without permission.
• "Bridgerton" executive producer Shonda Rhimes and author Julia Quinn have supported the lawsuit.

Netflix is suing the creators of "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical" after they put on a live performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, last week.

Last year, songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear began composing a musical version of the first season of "Bridgerton" after the series became a Netflix hit. Their songs went viral on TikTok and their concept album, which was released in September last year, won a Grammy award.

After initially praising the unofficial musical, Netflix has now filed for copyright infringement after Barlow and Bear announced a live concert of the album in both the Kennedy Center and the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK, without permission from the streamer.

—Netflix (@netflix) January 13, 2021

"Defendants Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear and their companies ("Barlow & Bear") have taken valuable intellectual property from the Netflix original series 'Bridgerton' to build an international brand for themselves," the suit, seen by Insider, said. "Netflix owns the exclusive right to create 'Bridgerton' songs, musicals, or any other derivative works based on 'Bridgerton.'"

In their suit, Netflix noted that the Kennedy Center performance, which cost $149 for a ticket and included VIP tickets, featured "verbatim dialogue, character traits, and expression" from the "Bridgerton" series and had dramatic portrayals of the characters by Broadway actors. Barlow and Bear also promoted their own "Bridgerton"-themed merchandise.

"Throughout the performance, Barlow & Bear misrepresented to the audience that they were using Netflix's 'Bridgerton' trademark 'with permission,' while Netflix vigorously objected," the streaming company added. "It is a blatant infringement of intellectual property rights."

Netflix also said in the suit that they offered a license to the songwriting duo before their Kennedy Center performance after hearing about it, but Barlow and Bear refused. 

While there have been TikTok musicals before based on other people's work, such as the "Ratatousical" in 2021, all the profits went to charity.

Both "Bridgerton" author Julia Quinn and "Bridgerton" series executive producer Shonda Rhimes have responded in a statement to Deadline.

"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," Rhimes said. "Just as Barlow & Bear would not allow others to appropriate their IP for profit, Netflix cannot stand by and allow Barlow & Bear to do the same with Bridgerton."

Quinn added: "Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are wildly talented, and I was flattered and delighted when they began 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."

She continued: "I would hope that Barlow & Bear, who share my position as independent creative professionals, understand the need to protect other professionals' intellectual property, including the characters and stories I created in the Bridgerton novels over twenty years ago."

Insider has reached out to Barlow and Bear for comment.