The Existence is Pain cocktail at Wubba Lubba Dub PUB (Karlin Villondo Photography)

Unless you were one of the lucky ones who visited the Rick and Morty pop-up bar on Thursday night, most of D.C. was denied the chance to guzzle down The Mr. Poopybutthole cocktail out of a poop emoji mug in a room decorated like the inside of a human man.

The group behind the pop-up bar, Drink Company (also responsible for the Game of Thrones and Christmas pop ups) announced Friday that the bar was shutting down after a breakdown in negotiations with Turner Broadcasting, owner of Cartoon Network, on which Rick and Morty airs. According to a statement posted to social media, Turner threatened to fine the company for using the show’s name and characters.

Wubba Lubba Dub PUB was designed by fans for fans, though we think everyone would have enjoyed it. It was a labor of love and included hand sewn Meeseeks from our CEO Angie’s mother; graffiti work by an incredible artist; a 25-foot Ruben cut out by our Special Projects Director, hockey-referee-turned-craftsman Matt Fox; and deep references to a show that has made us all laugh out loud and confront the deeper meaning behind the gags. In a word, we are fans geeking out.

Turner Broadcasting/Cartoon Network wasn’t willing to let us do that and demanded we shut down. We then reached an agreement, and thus delayed for a week, but they changed their minds, threatened us with exorbitant fees and then took everything off the table today and refused to talk any further. The whole time we were operating in good faith and willing to make concessions to bring this wonderful work of fan art to life.

Now we have to lay off our beloved employees and take a massive financial hit, all because Turner Broadcasting/Cartoon Network are unwilling to figure out a way to let a great fan tribute happen. We are so sorry to all the fans but we also have learned a valuable lesson: when it comes to free speech and fair use, Turner Broadcasting/Cartoon Network believes that should only be a joke on the show.

If you have something to say to Turner, see handles below:

Twitter/Instagram: @rickandmorty @turner @adultswim
Facebook: rickandmorty adultswim turnerbroadcasting

At the time of the PUB’s announcement earlier this month, Drink Company CEO Angie Fetherston told Washingtonian that the bar often has agreements in place to head off intellectual property disputes, but declined to elaborate on the specifics of any Rick and Morty ones. After the bar’s shutdown, the company’s president Derek Brown only added to the magazine that there were “communications of sorts” in place.

Adult Swim, the Cartoon Network programming block in which Rick and Morty airs, has a different story, saying in a statement this weekend that they were unaware of the PUB before it was announced.

“Adult Swim was not approached in advance of Drink Company building out and announcing their Rick and Morty themed bar,” the statement reads. “That bothered us, not only because it wasn’t polite and aimed at profiting off of Rick and Morty fans, but because we couldn’t be sure that the experience was going to be up to our standards for those fans, whom we never want to disappoint. Also, it’s illegal, which we’re pretty sure still counts for something.”

Brown told Washingtonian that after the bar was announced, the company received a cease-and-desist letter from Turner Broadcasting lawyers, apparently written to mimic the tone of the show.

“We discovered the Wubba Lubba Dub Pub on interdimensional cable and from recent press attention, where folks seem genuinely confused about your association with Turner and their sponsorship of your activities,” the letter, obtained by Washingtonian, reads, in part. “Unfortunately, while we love your enthusiasm for the show, none of this activity was cleared by the Council of Ricks. In fact, we’ve checked all versions of the legal code across the multiverse and what you’re doing isn’t legit in any of them. Here in particular, you’re in danger of violating Turner’s rights on a number of levels, including copyright infringement, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and unfair competition.”

In an effort to settle things, Brown said, the company hired a trademark lawyer, and agreed to post disclaimers indicating the PUB was not affiliated with Turner Broadcasting, clarify that the network would not be liable if anyone was injured in the PUB, and even to delay its opening by a week.

Things seemed settled until last Monday, when, Drink Company told Washingtonian, Turner demanded a $100,000 licensing fee to use the space. The company said it countered with a smaller number, and offered to donate all proceeds from the PUB to charity. After the bar opened, Turner insisted the bar be shut down.

“We love the show & thought they’d appreciate the PUB. We begged Turner to see it & keep it open,” Brown tweeted Friday after the company announced the PUB had been shut down. In its statement, Drink Company asked fans to reach out to Turner on social media “if you have something to say” to them.

So what do you think?

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