EasyGroup Defeated in High Court Trademark Dispute Over 'Easy' Branding
EasyJet's parent company, easyGroup, has suffered a significant legal setback after losing a High Court trademark dispute against two footwear businesses that incorporate the word "easy" in their branding. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, marks a notable defeat for the group owned by Greek Cypriot businessman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, which has aggressively pursued trademark protection for its extensive portfolio of "easy" branded ventures.
Legal Challenge Targets Footwear Companies
The legal action was initiated by easyGroup against Estonian firm Easyfeetstore and American company Easyfeet Inc, both of which specialise in orthopaedic and orthotic insoles. Andriy Klishyn, a shareholder in Easyfeetstore and director of Easyfeet Inc, was also named as a defendant in the proceedings. During a two-day trial held in February, lawyers representing easyGroup argued that the footwear companies had infringed seven of its trademarks, including the prominent easyJet brand.
They further contended that Mr Klishyn bore joint responsibility and that Easyfeetstore's trademark for "easyfeet" was invalid. However, the defendants successfully defended the legal challenge in London, with Mr Klishyn telling the court that consumers purchasing insoles would not mistake them for products associated with easyGroup's diverse business empire.
Judge Dismisses Claims of Consumer Confusion
In his ruling, Judge Richard Hacon dismissed the claim, finding that the word "easy" was "the only similarity" between the trademarks and the footwear companies' signs and that there was "no likelihood" of customers being confused. He stated: "I have found that there is no relevant similarity between any of the seven trade marks and either of the defendants' signs and, in the case of six out of the seven trademarks, no similarities in goods or services."
The judge continued that easyGroup had not suffered "detriment" and that there was no "unfair advantage" gained by the footwear firms. This decision underscores the limitations of trademark protection when applied to common words like "easy," particularly in unrelated industries.
EasyGroup's Aggressive Trademark Strategy
As of last March, easyGroup boasts more than 380 "easy" branded business ventures and websites within its portfolio, including easyJet, easyBus, and easyHotel. The group has been involved in several High Court trademark disputes with rival companies using "easy" in their names. Judge Hacon noted in his ruling that easyGroup "seems to be doing all it can to prevent the use of 'easy' signs without its licence," highlighting its proactive legal approach.
This is not the first recent defeat for easyGroup in trademark battles. In August 2025, the group also lost a legal case against hotel chain Premier Inn over the latter's use of the phrase "rest easy," indicating a pattern of challenges in enforcing broad trademark claims.
EasyGroup Vows to Appeal the Decision
Following the judgment, an easyGroup spokesperson expressed strong disagreement, stating: "We strongly believe that this judgment is wrong because it undermines the ability of owners of famous families of brands, such as the easy family of brands, to protect consumers from confusion. The other side wants consumers to believe that they have something to do with the official easy family of brands when they do not. We will appeal and will overturn it, as we have done many times in the past."
This case raises important questions about trademark law and the balance between protecting established brands and allowing fair competition. With easyGroup's pledge to appeal, the legal saga over the "easy" branding is likely to continue, potentially setting further precedents in intellectual property disputes.
