Not so charitable? Red Cross dishes out warning to police officer over naming rights of 'trauma teddies'

It's a charity best known for helping those in need, but now the Australian Red Cross has dished out a warning to a police officer for doing just that.

The spat is over toys known as "Trauma Teddies."

Em's Friends is a volunteer group that knits teddies for the sick and disadvantaged - like little baby Yusra.

It was from one of Senior Constable Emma Whitmill's army of knitting volunteers.

The Red Cross, however, is not feeling as charitable sharing the name "trauma teddies" with Em's Friends.

One of Senior Constable Emma Whitmill's volunteers has shown Seven News a legal letter stating: "A use by anyone other than Red Cross of the Trauma Teddy mark (and this includes the description 'Trauma Teddies') in connection with small bears known as teddies, and in the registered categories, is an actionable breach of the Copyright Act 1968."

"It's supposed to be a humanitarian organisation and we've been on the receiving end of legal threats," Joanne Hutchinson on the Riverstone Community Centre Knitting Group said.

"It's ridiculous."

Senior Constable Whitmill recently posted a message onto her Facebook page, saying: "It is with a heavy heart that I need to stop running this page and accepting toys."

The threat sent by The Red Cross does give her a choice. She can continue to refer to "trauma teddies" as long as Red Cross can claim ownership of her toys and inspect and label every teddy prior to distribution.

"The letter makes a really genuine offer to be part of the Red Cross family," Red Cross spokesperson Jody Broun said.

Red Cross said the dispute was not over intellectual property but ensuring quality.

"They are knitted to a certain standard, they're checked for any sharp bits, they don't have any buttons on them as a choking hazard," Ms Broun said.

Emma's supporters have urged her to continue her work - but using a different name.