Cautionary Tale on Bluey Parties

A YSS blog reader reached out to the blog after reading yesterday's post and wanted to share their experience with trying to host a Bluey party. We think it's important for our readers to know as well.

I wanted to let readers know that my library tried to throw a Bluey Bash that was scheduled for May 10, 2025 and we had to cancel the event after we received a cease and desist from Ludo Studios/BBC Studios (the company who owns the intellectual property rights to Bluey). Another library in our library system also received a cease and desist from Ludo Studios/BBC Studios for their Bluey Bash that was scheduled for April 5th. 

 

Our event was called "Bluey Bash" and we used a description that was very similar to what other libraries have used for their "Bluey Bash" events. In our promotional materials, we intentionally did not use the font or the trademarked cartoon image of Bluey, and instead used a photo we took of the costume we purchased for the event. The other library in our system used the trademarked cartoon image of Bluey and the Bluey logo in their promotional materials for the event, but did not have a costume or intend to use a costume at their event. Both libraries received very similar cease and desist letters and both libraries are unable to use the name, image, likeness, or references to Bluey on our website or on our social media pages. 

As someone who loves Bluey and whose patrons love Bluey, it was incredibly hard to pivot from excitedly planning and promoting a Bluey Bash event to having to abruptly cancel the event without being able to say the name of the event in the post to cancel the event. 

It's important to be aware of this type of order from rights owners. Typically, this kind of thing happens with the showing of movies that ask the organization not to share the movie name or character likeness in print, website and social media advertising. As the librarian above did, I have seen libraries use alternate titles and carefully worded descriptions to accommodate the right's holders request. 

In these situations, it's always worthwhile to reach out to your community's legal counsel to see what is the best policy to make sure the library is doing what it needs to do. 

We appreciate the sharing of this information to help all of us navigate this kind of situation.