A UK indie band is being sued by easyJet's owner over its name.
Leicester group Easy Life informed its fan base of the bizarre legal case on Instagram, admitting it's "something they never imagined they'd have to do."
EasyGroup – the holding group that licences the easyJet name and owns a large slice of the airline – has slapped the brand with a lawsuit and claimed it would be "unfair" if they let the band continue using its name it "for free".
The band wrote on Instagram: “As some of you have already discovered, we are being sued, easy jet are suing us for being called easy life.
“they’re forcing us to change our name or take up a costly legal battle which we could never afford. we’ve worked hard to establish our brand i’m certain in no way have we ever affected their business.
“although we find this whole situation hilarious, we are virtually powerless against such a massive corporation. i don’t really know what else to say, will keep you lot updated. for those of you who bought gig tickets and ended up on a budget flight to tenerife, i apologise, for the rest of you, thank you so much for your support”.
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A spokesman for easyGroup told The Sun: "With reference to the brand thief Mr Matravers [EasyLife frontman] and his fellow band members who have decided to use our brand, easyLife without permission. We have a long established record of legally stopping thieves from using our brands and I am confident we will stop Mr Matravers."
In another, less abrasive statement, they said: “Stelios [Haji-Ioannou] and easyGroup founded and (now) own the right to the easy brand name.
“Other companies (including easyLife) pay annual royalties for its use as part of their business strategy. We cannot allow unauthorised third parties to simply use it free, gratis and for nothing. That would be very unfair.”
The Sun has also contacted a representative for easyJet.
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Fans reacted angrily to the news, while others had to check it wasn't April 1.
One posted: "absolute joke, start crowdfunding and we’ll support you!."
Another said: "this is a disgusting overreach of corporate and capital power."
A third posted: "What the actual hell are they doing."
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