Sports

Creators of original Phillie Phanatic call redesign 'an affront' to fans

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Wednesday, February 26, 2020
The creators of the original Phillie Phanatic accused the Philadelphia Phillies of "an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere" with the team's
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's not baseball season yet, but many people can't seem to stop talking about the Phillie Phanatic's new look, as the original creators have voiced how disappointed they are.

The change follows the Phillies suing the company that created the Phanatic last August from reclaiming the copyright.
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RELATED: 'I stand with Phanatic:' Gritty defends Phillies mascot's new look
The firm helped develop the Phanatic and was playing hardball with the Phillies to pay up millions of dollars to keep him or the beloved mascot could enter into a sort of "free agency."



The original creators have now put out a statement.

Here's the statement from Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison:
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The creators of the original Phillie Phanatic, Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison (who are represented by law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP), expressed their dismay at the appearance Sunday of the so-called "new" Phillie Phanatic at the Phillies spring training game:



"The Phillies lack of good faith in negotiating for an extension of the copyright assignment for the Phillie Phanatic is disappointing," said Wayde Harrison. "But the unveiling of the so-called 'new' Phanatic on Sunday is an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere."

"For more than 40 years, we have worked closely with the Phillies, making all the Phanatic costumes, providing artwork and ideas until June of 2018," added Bonnie Erickson. "The Phanatic has performed successfully for the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia for decades. The 'business decision' by the Phillies to roll out this 'new' Phanatic is a transparent attempt to deny us our rights under of the Copyright Act. We would love to have the real Phanatic continue with the Phillies."
GALLERY: Phanatic Through the Years
The new-look Phillie Phanatic makes his debut.none
The Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phillie Phanatic,in action before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.AP
Bryce Harper stands with the Phanatic before being introduced as a Phillies player during a news conference at the team's spring training facility, Saturday, March 2, 2019.AP
Gritty and the Phillie Phanatic dance during a baseball game between the Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Philadelphia.AP
The “Phillie Phanatic” jumps on the back of Atlanta Braves catcher Biff Pocoroba during a pre-game warmup before double header at night on Tuesday, July 12, 1983 in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic, mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, poses at its perch atop Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium April 8, 1991.none
The Phillie Phanatic holds a doll dressed in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform during Game 4 of the 1993 Word Series.none
Harry Kalas, longtime broadcaster of the Philadelphia Phillies, is greeted by the Phillie Phanatic Wednesday, June 19, 2002.none
Hall of Famer Harry Kalas and the Phillie Phanatic wave to the crowd after removing the last of the "Vet Countdown" signs on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003.none
Philadelphia Phillies' Jim Thome responds to cheers after hitting his 400th career homer on Monday, June 14, 2004, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phillies mascot the Phillie Phanatic is seen during a jubilant victory parade in downtown Philadelphia Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.none
The Phillie Phanatic eyes up the location of the 2008 World Series Trophy Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2009, at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.none
The Phillie Phanatic dumps popcorn on a fan during Game 1 of the NLDS between the Phillies and the Reds, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010.none
The Phillie Phanatic stands during the opening day ceremonies before a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, April 1, 2011, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phanatic watches a ball game from on-top of the Phillies dugout during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phillies mascot, the Phillie Phanatic watches during an exhibition baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic stands during the playing of the national anthem before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic, center, dances with Zooperstars (left to right), Ichiroach Suzuki, Whale Gretzky, Harry Canary and Monkey Mantle on May 18, 2014, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic shoots hot dogs into the stands during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic admires a huge birthday card signed by thousands of his fans during pre-game ceremonies in Philadelphia, April 30, 1979.AP

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Some people Action News spoke with said they have mixed opinions.

"Leave him the way he is and just drop the lawsuit," said Thomas Kaplan, from Fishtown.

"It is a fair thing," said Brendan Olkus, from Fishtown. "The franchise has made a lot of money over the years, it's kind of a fair thing to take care of the artists for it, I think they designed the iconic baseball mascot."

No response so far from the Phillies.
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