‘Five become embroiled in an intellectual property dispute’ does not have quite the same ring as most of Enid Blyton’s much-loved creations.

But it could become reality now that the author’s publisher Hachette has warned a group of comedians to pull the word ‘Five’ from a play ‘Five Go Off On One’ to be performed at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Citing infringement of the trade mark ‘Famous Five’, Hachette fired a letter to creator Robert Eyers telling him that the title could ‘mislead customers into believing your production… is endorsed by us’.

Eyers wisely changed the title to ‘Four Go Off On One! A Jolly Good Romp Through Childhood’. Poor old Timmy the dog did not make the final cut.

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