I was pretty surprised when I saw that the red band trailer for The Happytime Murders the new R-rated comedy starring Jim Henson Company puppets, featured the tagline “NO SESAME. ALL STREET.”
I guess Sesame Workshop was caught by surprise too, because they’ve taken some kind of legal action against STX Entertainment, who produced the film — variously described as suing, filing a lawsuit, seeking an injunction, and “taking them on,” depending on which version you read.
As reported by Variety, The Wrap and many others, Sesame Workshop’s legal whats-it argues that the use of the tagline in the Happytime marketing materials constitutes an unauthorized use of the trademark on “Sesame Street“:
Defendants’ widely-distributed marketing campaign features a just-released trailer with explicit, profane, drug-using, misogynistic, violent, copulating, and even ejaculating puppets, along with the tagline ‘NO SESAME. ALL STREET.’ Defendants do not own, control or have any right to use the SESAME STREET mark. Instead, they are distributing a trailer that deliberately confuses consumers into mistakenly believing that Sesame is associated with, has allowed, or has even endorsed or produced the movie and tarnishes Sesame’s brand.”
It’s been interesting to see the reactions to Sesame’s reaction. I think I’ve seen just as many online commenters declaring that Sesame Workshop will easily get the movie to stop using the tagline as I have commenters who believe they have no case at all. I guess no matter what happens, the lawsuit will help spread the word that Sesame Street has nothing to do with The Happytime Murders.
STX has already responded publicly. In a statement from their lawyer, Fred, Esq. — who happens to be a puppet — they said:
STX loved the idea of working closely with Brian Henson and the Jim Henson Company to tell the untold story of the active lives of Henson puppets when they’re not performing in front of children. ‘Happytime Murders’ is the happy result of that collaboration and we’re incredibly pleased with the early reaction to the film and how well the trailer has been received by its intended audience. While we’re disappointed that Sesame Street does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position. We look forward to introducing adult moviegoers to our adorably unapologetic characters this summer.
What do you think? Let us know, especially if you’re a lawyer or a puppet!
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by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs.com
