Katy Perry’s Super Bowl halftime show may have been an impressive display of mechanics and pyrotechnics, but the world of social media was captivated by something that she probably wouldn’t have wanted – a badly co-ordinated back-up dancer dressed as a shark.

‘Left Shark’, as the unfortunate moment has been dubbed, became an instant internet sensation, spawning hashtags, gifs, vines and memes in its hilarious wake. But Perry’s lawyers have slapped a ‘cease and desist’ demand on an internet vendor selling 3D-printed models of Left Shark. Otherwise, she’ll take a bite out of him (arf!)

Katy Perry
Katy Perry's lawyers didn't see the funny side of a 3D sculpture of the infamous 'Left Shark'

Orlando resident Fernando Sosa, who usually prints models of political figures and world leaders, started offering downloadable blueprints for the hapless dancer shortly after Sunday’s big game had finished.

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Sosa was selling the model for $24.99 through internet marketplace Shapeways.com, but on Wednesday the star’s lawyers Greenberg Traurig issued the site with a stern letter.

“Our client [Perry] recently has learned that you have been involved in the manufacture, sale, marketing and distribution of merchandise featuring a shark sculpture which embodies and uses the [Super Bowl halftime show], and that you have displayed this product on your website, in connection with such sale and distribution.”

Sosa told CNBC: "I honestly don't know why they made a big deal of it. I sold like 10. I asked if I could license them they told me they don't have any licensing right now. I wouldn't mind paying them royalties."

He went on sarcastically: “It looks like dictators and world leaders like Putin and Kim Jong Un or Chris Christie are much easier to deal with,” he said, “so I probably will go back to doing pieces about them and other world leaders. All this lawyer crap is very stressful.”

Check out a clip of the video below:

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