UK Court Declares 'Glee' Must Change Name

Glee has lost the right to call itself Glee. Well, in the UK at least.

Britain's High Court ruled Friday that the musical comedy series must change its title due to a trademark conflict with Comic Enterprises, which operates a string of comedy venues called The Glee Club. However, the order will not take effect until the Court of Appeal has an opportunity to hear the case.

Judge Roger Wyand ruled in favor of Comic Enterprises back in February, declaring that there was a "likelihood of confusion" between the two brands. In the aftermath of the ruling, Twentieth Century Fox announced its intention to appeal, and argued that a name change would constitute an "unnecessary, unfair and disproportionate" penalty.

In short, Judge Wyand disagreed.

"I find it hard to believe that the cost of the re-titling and publicizing of the new name would be so prohibitive compared to the value of the series," he said. "I was told many times during the course of the trial how this series is a 'blockbuster.'"

In addition to ordering a name change, Wyand also ruled in favor of Comic Enterprises in its petition for damages. The judge stated that the final amount would be hammered out later, but ruled that Twentieth Century Fox must make an interim payment of 100,000 pounds (which is roughly equal to about $170,000 US).

I'm not the biggest Glee defender in the world, but would there really be that much confusion between the two brands? Also, does it seem a bit egregious to anyone else that the judge basically ruled, "Well, we haven't decided how much you owe these guys, but for now, I want you to pay Comic Enterprises close to a quarter of a million dollars. Then we'll decide whether you've paid enough later."

It's just such a strange case, and all the stranger coming now, as the show is about to enter an abbreviated final season. Hasn't the damage to Comic Enterprises already been done, if any damage were to be done to The Glee Club brand at all?

What do you think? Did the judge make the right ruling? Is there really a "likelihood of confusion" between the two brands, or should Glee get to keep its name?

Via: Associated Press

Credit: FOX