NEW YORK, March 12 (Reuters) - SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment was sued on Thursday by the nonprofit Sesame Workshop over its alleged refusal to honor its contractual obligations as the licensee of the "Sesame Street" brand.

According to a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, SeaWorld, a unit of United Parks & Resorts ( PRKS ), has "run roughshod" over the licensing agreement, refusing to pay royalties and posing an "imminent threat" to Sesame Workshop's brand.