Bogus Barneys Trigger Legal Challenge

Tue., Feb. 10, 1998

Associated Press

What? The world’s most popular purple dinosaur is out smoking, drinking and swearing?

That’s what the Lyons Partnership, Barney’s licensing company, fears people are thinking when costume shops rent knockoff costumes of the children’s TV character.

Lyons said it has sued or plans to sue at least 700 costume shops and other retailers in 20 states, charging that dressing like Barney is copyright infringement.

Official appearances by Barney are rare, and the company has never licensed adult-sized costumes “because we can’t police what the person does,” Lyons spokeswoman Kelly Lane said Monday.

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Bogus Barneys Trigger Legal Challenge

Jesse Tinsley

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