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StudioCanal and Michael Bond’s Estate Sue Avalon Over ‘Spitting ImagePaddington Parody

The case centers on a YouTube sketch’s portrayal of the character, potentially clarifying how UK law treats parody.

Overview

  • The rights holders filed a High Court complaint alleging copyright and design‑right infringement tied to Spitting Image’s The Rest Is Bulls*!t sketch.
  • The public court papers do not set out detailed particulars of the claims, and both StudioCanal and Avalon have declined to comment.
  • The sketch depicts a Paddington-like puppet co‑hosting a profane podcast with a Prince Harry puppet, making cocaine jokes and interviewing an Elon Musk puppet.
  • The contested episode has more than 500,000 views within a YouTube relaunch that has drawn over 10 million views, with fans posting backlash over the portrayal.
  • Some media report the claimants may seek damages and an injunction to halt distribution, though those remedies are not confirmed in the disclosed filing.