From TMZ. This is hilarious:
First off … there are 2 bands called One Direction. Second off … the unfamous One Direction sued the famous One Direction for allegedly jacking the name. Third off … now the famous One Direction is countersuing the unfamous One Direction, saying the famous band had the name first.
The famous band now claims it has achieved “global fame and success” and some local knock-off is now trying to ride its coattails. The unfamous One Direction begs to differ.
That’s pretty much it.
Simon Cowell and company are trying to get the first One Direction to back off. Does he even have a case if there was already a band named One Direction? ETA: The better question would be, who owns the copyright to the name?
It seems clear that Simon has NO intention of settling behind the scenes.
ETA: The Hollywood Reporter goes into more depth regarding the countersuit from SYCO. Simon counters that the British One Direction has been releasing music available to Americans prior to 2011, the date the American band began selling their EP on iTunes.
