They are really committed to the quality of their character."īrown feels, however, that if Channel 39, which pays to air "Barney and Friends," can't use a Barney look-a-like as a promotion, then neither should anyone else. "I think some people think they are playing hardball and it's all for dollars, but I don't really think it is. It's only in fun,'" said Brown.īut she understands how The Lyons Group needs to control how Barney is portrayed. All these little kids are going to be denied the opportunity (to hug Barney). "Initially, our feeling was that, 'How terrible. But she had gotten caught up in the Barney excitement. After all, she wouldn't put someone in a yellow bird costume and call it Big Bird. Shelley Brown, vice president of development, said she had planned to rent a purple dinosaur costume and have "Barney" appear during the station's Barney marathon in March, a morning of back-to-back episodes of "Barney and Friends" intended to help raise money during the station's annual pledge drive.īut she changed her mind when The Lyons Group notified public television stations about the proliferation of copyright violations across the country.īrown acknowledged she should have known better. The mania over Barney has been so overwhelming that even Channel 39, which airs "Barney and Friends," got swept up in it. Approved by The Lyons Group, the event will give children the opportunity to have their pictures taken with a 4-foot plush Barney. "It was definitely to see Barney."Īlthough the real Barney won't be back at area malls anytime soon, Macy's at the Lehigh Valley Mall is planning a Barney party on May 24 from 11 a.m. "It was not a hug opportunity," said Ryan, noting that theme parks are used to handling families and their children. In some cases, she said, people in lookalike suits have been rude to children and have preached religious beliefs.īarney recently paraded through Universal Studios in Hollywood and Florida in a 16-day appearance to determine whether Barney is suited to the theme park environment. She said the company cannot control how someone acts while dressed in a Barney costume.
Ryan said it is critical for Barney's creators to make sure that Barney products meet certain quality and safety standards and that Barney's image as a sweet, lovable friend is maintained. Plenty of merchandise has been licensed, however, including plush animals and clothing. Last month, it sued the makers of Dino-Buddy, a purple dinosaur doll, accusing them of violating the Barney copyright. The Lyons Group also has taken the offensive when it comes to merchandise it feels is a knock-off. She said the group sued the organizer of a Florida concert featuring a purple dinosaur that ignored a cease-and-desist order. In addition to squashing the Y breakfast last month, Ryan said The Lyons Group has sent hundreds of letters to organizations and businesses demanding they cease and desist from capitalizing on Barney.