STD/HIV Test Kit Ads Show Bert And Ernie; Company Apologizes After 'Sesame Street' Threatens Lawsuit

The maker of the STD/HIV test kit that used "Sesame Street" characters Bert and Ernie in its ad has apologized for the offense. Matley initially ran an advertising campaign featuring the photo of the two puppets in a fundraising page announcing the creation of an app to improve its STD/HIV test kit service.  It was shared on Matley's accounts on social media.

BBC reports that Matley's CEO, Brandon Greenberg, released a statement apologizing to "Sesame Street" for the oversight. "This was by no means part of an advertising campaign intended to tarnish the Sesame Street brand, but we recognize the issue and all versions of this image have been removed from all Mately websites and social media pages," the statement read.

HIV testing company hit with cease and desist letter for using Bert and Ernie to educate about STDs https://t.co/s9VWXeIKxQ

— Raw Story (@RawStory) May 4, 2016

STD/HIV Test Kit Company Had No License Using Bert And Ernie

TMZ was first to report on spotting the ad, which suggested that Bert and Ernie are gay partners. The ad also used the puppets to launch a sexual health awareness campaign. Their photo was on the ad that carried the tagline: "See Ernie, you've got nothing to worry about, everything is positive!"

However, Sesame Workshop, which owns "Sesame Street" and its characters, declared that the use of Bert and Ernie's image was not authorized and licensed. "We will be contacting Mately and the appropriate parties with a cease and desist letter instructing them to take this down," Sesame Workshop told TMZ.

Startup's debut mired by unauthorized Bert and Ernie ad promoting #STD testing @MyMately https://t.co/XOviilP6bu pic.twitter.com/v0ajulO5mB

— Crain's New York (@CrainsNewYork) May 5, 2016

Bert And Ernie, Not Gay

The controversy over the STD/HIV test kits has reignited the issue on Bert and Ernie's sexuality. However, Sesame Workshop already addressed this issue several years ago. "Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets^TM do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation," the company said in a Facebook note in 2011.