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Sesame Street Sends 'Sexy Big Bird' Seller A Cease And Desist Letter

Sesame Street Wants Nothing To Do With 'Sexy Big Bird'
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By 

Senior Women's Reporter, HuffPost

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The people over at Sesame Street have had just about enough of a particular unauthorized "Sexy Big Bird" costume. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization that produces "Sesame Street," has sent a cease and desist letter to the unlicensed seller, Buzzfeed reported.

Since Mitt Romney threatened to fire the beloved children's show character, oddly sexualized costume versions of Big Bird have received a lot of attention, and have quickly been selling out across the country. This costume, bearing the name "Exclusive Yellow Dress and Stockings," is for sale on Yandy.com and might be considered the most (inappropriately) sexy of all:

Even though the seller never refers to the getup as a Big Bird costume, it's hard to mistake the outfit for anything else. The problem is, Yandy.com is not an officially licensed seller of Sesame Workshop brand merchandise. That means that the workshop never had the ability to sign off on an outfit that looks an awful lot like their character. To get around copyright infringement, the seller separated the (officially licensed) headpiece, the "Big Bird headband," from the dress and tights. (Click over to Buzzfeed to see the slightly less sexy costume that Sesame Workshop sells through Disguise, their official licensee.)

In an email to The Huffington Post, a Sesame Workshop representative confirmed that it is not affiliated with Yandy.com:

Sesame Workshop is continuing to work diligently to protect the Sesame Street brand and its characters. The official "Sesame Street" costume licensee is Disguise.

As of now, the "Exclusive Yellow Dress and Stockings" are still available, and the headband shows up as a related product. However, the website no longer features a photo of the model wearing the dress and stockings with the headpiece.

It's unclear for now what impact Sesame Workshop's cease and desist letter will have on Yandy.com's Sexy (not) Big Bird. But since its days might be numbered, if you have the stronge desire to transform yourself into a NSFW version one of childhood's most beloved characters, you might think about purchasing sooner rather than later.

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Before You Go

Women's Halloween Costumes 2012
Texts From Hillary(01 of12)
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The viral Tumblr from April showed off some pretty badass photos of Hillz. Dress up in a nice black suit, throw on some killer shades, a necklace and a blonde wig (if you're not blonde naturally) and whip out your cell phone throughout the night. To finish it off, emblazon your chest with one of the "Texts From Hillary" comebacks. Our personal favorite is "It's Madame Secretary to you." (credit:Texts From Hillary Tumblr)
A 'Toddler In Tiara'(02 of12)
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All you need is a poofy dress, a crown, some baby socks and a makeshift sash to transform yourself into one of America's most terrifying 4-year-olds. (credit:Laura Stampler/Facebook)
Hannah & Adam (In Onesies)(03 of12)
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If you're looking for an easy, low-key couples costume this year (and happen to be a fan of HBO's "Girls), we've got it covered. Just purchase two white onesies and you're done! Bonus points if you walk around with wet hair and cereal bowls. (credit:Facebook)
The Little Girl From "Moonrise Kingdom"(04 of12)
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Our Senior Lifestyle editor, Lori Fradkin, is skipping Halloween this year, but if she wasn't this is who she would be. She urges you all to steal her idea immediately. Plus, this can also be a totally not lame couples costume. (credit:Facebook)
The Fab Five(05 of12)
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Leotards + gold medals + best friends = win. (You're allowed to wear pants.) (credit:Getty Images)
Big Bird (06 of12)
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When we saw this costume on imgur, we instantly fell in love. You get to use yellow boas and show off some skin, but still be super creative. Plus -- EVERYONE will know exactly who you are. (In light of the debates, you could also go as Fired Big Bird.) (credit:Facebook/imgur)
Shari Lewis(07 of12)
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"This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friends!" If you dress up as Shari Lewis, you have license to annoy your fellow party-goers all night long -- via an adorable puppet. Who doesn't love "Lamb Chop"? (credit:Facebook/imgur)
Hipster Disney Princess(08 of12)
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Put a new twist on an old classic. After watching this video, we realized that this would be a REALLY fun Halloween costume. Just don't forget your thick-rimmed glasses. (credit:YouTube)
The 'Having It All' Atlantic Magazine Cover(09 of12)
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This suggestion comes courtesy of BUST magazine. To dress up as Anne-Marie Slaughter's cover story photo, all you need is your office garb, a briefcase and a baby doll. Fairly brilliant. (credit:Facebook)
One Of The 'Rich Kids Of Instagram'(10 of12)
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One of this year's most viral Tumblr accounts, "Rich Kids of Instagram" are the people you love to hate. Just grab a bottle of champagne, some gaudy jewelry and wear a cheap gold frame around your neck all night. (credit:Emma Gray)
A 'Runaway Bride'(11 of12)
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Buy a fluffy white dress from Value Village, put on your favorite pair of sneakers and flee away from potential husbands all night long. Bonus: Your feet will be SO comfortable. (credit:Facebook)
A Binder "Full Of Women"(12 of12)
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After Mitt Romney made his now-famous "binders full of women" comment during the second presidential debate, it became clear that this was going to be the Halloween costume hit of the year. There are so many creative possibilities. Make a binder dress! Tape Lisa Frank memorabilia all over your body! Do a congo line of ladies around the city and have one person be the front of the binder and one person be the back! The options are endless... (credit:bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com)
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