One Direction Countersue US Band Called One Direction Over Name

25 June 2012, 10:47

Simon Cowell's record label launches lawsuit against American band, who claim to have US rights to the name.

One Direction have countersued a US band also called One Direction who claim to have rights to the name in America.

The American group filed a $1 million lawsuit against the 'What Makes You Beautiful' boy band in April.

The original lawsuit saw the US One Direction cite the release of their debut album 'The Light' on iTunes in February 2011 – several months before the UK band released 'Up All Night' in America.

One Direction's counter lawsuit, which is spearheaded by Simon Cowell's record label Simco and Sony Music Entertainment, suggests that they are the ones under the threat of consumer confusion, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The lawsuit also cites One Direction's consistent use of the name since Autumn 2010, and that, despite not releasing their album in the US, they also registered US versions of their website, Twitter, and Facebook pages. 

One Direction at the Nickelodeon Awards in America:

The group's attorney's also highlighted the release of music videos on YouTube.

Earlier this year, One Direction's 'Up All Night' made them the first British group to top the US Billboard album chart with a debut album.