UK court orders 'Glee' name change

The UK's top court has ruled that hit US TV show Glee must rename the series for British audiences.

The UK's top court has ruled that hit US TV show Glee must rename the series for British audiences (Getty)

Glum news for Glee - Britain's High Court says the musical TV show must change its name because it breaches the trademark of a chain of comedy clubs.

A judge has told Twentieth Century Fox that it must rename the series in Britain, though the order won't take effect until an appeal has been heard.

The studio was sued by Comic Enterprises, which operates a string of venues called The Glee Club.

Judge Roger Wyand ruled in favour of Comic Enterprises in February, saying there was a "likelihood of confusion" between the two brands.

Fox said it would appeal, and argued that a name change would be unnecessary, unfair and disproportionate.

But the judge concluded on Friday that the cost would not be "prohibitive compared to the value of the series".