One Direction UK To Sue One Direction USA Over Name Dispute
Monday, 25 June 2012
Written by Elliott Battee
X-Factor boyband One Direction have re-opened the dispute between themselves and an American rock band of the same name - and have now threatened to sue them.
The heated arguments started earlier in the year after an American rock group, who claim to have been using the name for longer than their Simon Cowell-controlled counterparts, demanded that the international superstars change their name and pay them damages for the confusion and interference the name clash has caused.
As you can imagine, Cowell and his (he probably has one, lets be fair) team of lawyers stood firm, and promised that there would be no such name change - despite threats of legal action from the Americans. Meanwhile, the US 1D began receiving death threats (including promises of having their ‘balls’ removed), and began feeling the pressure of taking on such a huge force - especially one managed by media mogul Simon Cowell.
Now, the tables really are turning (admittedly they wouldn’t far round to begin with) on the Americans, and they’re now being counter-sued by Cowell and co, who are arguing that the US One Direction released their debut album in February 2011 - months after One Direction made their appearance on the X-Factor.
Cowell’s lawyers have also argued that a Facebook post from the Americans shows that the band acknowledged that there was a group with the same name back in autumn 2010 - meaning that they released their album aware that there was a group using the same name.
But, the Americans are keeping strong, and a legal representative of the band has told The Hollywood Reporter: "It looks like we got defendants' attention. This is the response we expected, given who we're up against. An effort is being made to intimidate these young men from California. Our clients believe in their case and will not be deterred.”
Whether the two groups resolve their problem, and regardless of whatever name they may or may not be using, the UK's One Direction will be touring the country in 2013. If you're a fan, make sure you grab your tickets now – as they're selling fast. Check the dates and details below for more information.
Fri February 22nd 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Sat February 23rd 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Sun February 24th 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Tue February 26th 2013 - SECC, Glasgow
Wed February 27th 2013 - SECC, Glasgow
Fri March 1st 2013 - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff
Sat March 2nd 2013 - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff
Sun March 3rd 2013 - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff
Tue March 5th 2013 - O2 Dublin, Dublin
Wed March 6th 2013 - O2 Dublin, Dublin
Thu March 7th 2013 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Fri March 8th 2013 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Sun March 10th 2013 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Mon March 11th 2013 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Tue March 12th 2013 - O2 Dublin, Dublin
Wed March 13th 2013 - O2 Dublin, Dublin
Fri March 15th 2013 - Manchester Arena, Manchester
Sat March 16th 2013 - Manchester Arena, Manchester
Sun March 17th 2013 - Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool
Tue March 19th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Wed March 20th 2013 - Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Fri March 22nd 2013 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sat March 23rd 2013 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sun March 31st 2013 - Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool
Mon April 1st 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Tue April 2nd 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Thu April 4th 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Fri April 5th 2013 - O2 Arena, London
Sat April 6th 2013 - The O2 Arena, London
Mon April 8th 2013 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Tue April 9th 2013 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Wed April 10th 2013 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Fri April 12th 2013 - SECC, Glasgow
Sat April 13th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Sun April 14th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Wed April 17th 2013 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Fri April 19th 2013 - Manchester Arena, Manchester
Fri April 26th 2013 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Sun July 22nd 2012 - Manchester Arena, Manchester
Sat July 21st 2012 - Echo Arena, Liverpool
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