Leicester based band Easy Life have been on the receiving end of legal action from the easyGroup over their band name.
The easyGroup is the parent company of EasyJet is claiming that the band’s name is an infringement of their trade marks, which includes a wide range of Easy marks.
This includes a registration for ‘easylife’ covering services such as advertising and marketing services.
Through their social media, the band has announced that the easyGroup have taken legal action against for the use of the band name ‘easy life’ and are therefore forcing them to change their name. They have stated that while they disagree that their use of the name has any impact on the corporation group, they have no choice but to change the band name to avoid continuing the litigation.
The easyGroup’s claim states that they have not provided the band with any authorisation to use the name, and the continuation of the band’s use could have a detrimental impact on the rights held by the easyGroup.
The corporation go on to explain that there is already in existence a formal licence to use the name with a large catalogue company.
A spokesperson for the easyGroup has said:
“We cannot allow others to simply use it free, gratis and for nothing. That would be unfair.”
This is not the first time that the easyGroup have caught the public’s attention for their eagerness to control the use of the word ‘easy’. Having built a significant portfolio of ‘easy’ marks, the corporation have taken a ‘David and Goliath’ approach in challenging all manner of companies for their use of the word ‘easy’.
It is likely that in this case, the band will change its name and the matter will not go any further, but that isn’t to say that the easyGroup would have been successful if they pursued their legal claims through the courts.
If you would like to discuss protecting your brand further, please get in touch with the Trademarkroom team today.
