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Netflix has filed a lawsuit against the authors of “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.”

In documents obtained by The Post, the streaming giant is coming after Abigail Barlow, 23, and Emily Bear, 20 — known professionally as Barlow & Bear — to stop the Grammy-winning duo from producing any future productions of their show live in concert.

Earlier this week, the musical played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The lawsuit claims that ticket prices got up to $149 each, and VIP packages were also listed.

Netflix also wants compensation for any profits the musicians have already made from the show.

“Netflix supports fan-generated content, but Barlow & Bear have taken this many steps further, seeking to create multiple revenue streams for themselves without formal permission to utilize the Bridgerton IP,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement to The Post.

“We’ve tried hard to work with Barlow & Bear, and they have refused to cooperate. The creators, cast, writers and crew have poured their hearts and souls into Bridgerton, and we’re taking action to protect their rights,” they continued.

“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,” Rosa Leda Ehler, an attorney representing Netflix, writes in the complaint.

“Bridgerton reflects the creative work and hard-earned 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,” she continues. “Barlow & Bear cannot take that right-made valuable by others’ hard work-for themselves, without permission. Yet that is exactly what they have done.”

The complaint continues: “The live show featured over a dozen songs that copied verbatim dialogue, character traits and expression, and other elements from Bridgerton the series. It included dramatic portrayals of Bridgerton characters by Broadway actors, emoting through the performance of the songs that comprise the ‘musical.'”

The complaint further suggests that the live show smacks of “blatant infringement” that flies in the face of copyright and trademark laws.

“Barlow & Bear’s conduct began on social media, but stretches ‘fan fiction’ well past its breaking point,” the suit adds. “It is blatant infringement of intellectual property rights.”

It also claims that the duo has been promoting their show “using Netflix’s BRIDGERTON trademark ‘with Permission,’ while Netflix vigorously objected.”

“There is so much joy in seeing audiences fall in love with Bridgerton and watching the creative ways they express their fandom,” Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of the series, said in a statement. “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. 

“This property was created by Julia Quinn and brought to life on screen through the hard work of countless individuals,” she added. “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.”

Julia Quinn, author of the “Bridgerton” novels, also gave a statement to The Post, writing, “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.”

“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,” she concluded.


  Netflix’s soapy historical hit is in its second season. LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX Netflix’s soapy historical hit is in its second season. LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX

Barlow and Bear originally toyed with the idea for “Bridgerton” songs for fans on TikTok in 2021. With Barlow’s lead vocals and orchestration, production and additional vocals by Bear, the pair created enough songs to release an album. “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” won Best Musical Theater Album at the 2022 Grammys, making them the youngest people in history to win the category.

The pair have plans to tour the show, recently announcing a stop in London, but the lawsuit might change that.

Netflix’s hit, steamy historical drama is now in its second season with Season 3 already in the works — and plans to focus on Penelope Featherington’s love story with her crush, Colin Bridgerton, in a bit of a departure from Julia Quinn’s book series.

The Post has contacted Barlow & Bear for comment.

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