Ben Patton
Senior Manager
It’s unimaginable, but I could very well be banned in the United Kingdom following a judge’s ruling in an infringement case.
Comic Enterprises Ltd., has filed a lawsuit against the hit Fox dramedy, stating that Glee has “diluted and tarnished” the brand of venues they operate called “The Glee Club.”
The owner, Mark Tughan, has stated that potential customers have “become confused over whether his comedy clubs have any connection to the popular show.” Tughan’s trademarks date back to the late 90’s, well before Santana, Kurt and Rachel were household names.
The Mirror reports that Tughan could have “legal costs approaching £1 million if he had lost the enormously costly legal action. The judge found him to be ‘an honest witness’ and rejected all Twentieth Century Fox’s criticisms of his conduct.”
The judge in the case had this to say about the ordeal, “The evidence before me included several examples, albeit generally second-hand, of people who knew of the TV show and, on seeing or hearing of Comic Enterprises’ business, believed that it was connected to the TV show,” he continues. ”There are obvious similarities between the mark and the (Glee) sign and I have held that there is a likelihood of confusion between them.”
“The evidence, taken as whole, shows that there is a likelihood of confusion and the fact that Comic Enterprises can only produce evidence of one person (Tracey Jones) who was actually confused …does not negate this.”
To be, or not to be; will Glee be forced out of the U.K. due to a comedy club who his somehow hurting from the global hit?
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