Overview
- StudioCanal and the estate of Michael Bond filed a High Court claim against Avalon, alleging copyright and design-rights infringement over a YouTube sketch reimagining Paddington Bear.
- The filing does not disclose the particulars of the claim or any damages sought, leaving the legal arguments and remedies unclear.
- The sketch portrays a foul-mouthed Paddington co-hosting a podcast with a Prince Harry caricature and includes drug-related jokes.
- Spitting Image released a response video mocking StudioCanal, featuring the bear using the legal letter as toilet paper, and it has altered the character’s look by dropping the red hat and duffle coat.
- Co-creators Al Murray and Matt Forde said they are baffled by the suit and cast it as a threat to comedy, while observers note the case will likely hinge on whether the sketch qualifies as fair dealing for parody.