A tiff regarding a trademark caused a committee meeting at student-run Bedlam Theatre to run to several hours recently, The Student has learned.

Bedlam Theatre, which is owned and operated by the Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) is home of The Improverts, the popular student comedy improv troupe.

Sources close to the meeting said that The Improverts requested rights to the trademark of their name and logo, but were told by the committee that as The Improverts themselves were not a legal entity, it is not possible for them to hold a trademark, and that the trademark must remain under the control of EUTC.

In a joint statement to The Student, the EUTC committee and The Improverts said: "Both groups are currently in discussions regarding the best way to legally and satisfactorily sustain the long term protection of the The Improverts brand."

They added: "The Improverts as a brand is undoubtedly a great source of pride to the company and as such incredibly valuable and clearly something worthy of protecting.

The Improverts are known for selling out shows; they had a sold-out run throughout both semesters of the 2009-2010 year, and also had a sold-out run at the Fringe Festival in August.