EasyGroup loses High Court trademark dispute over Easyfeetstore and Easyfeet Inc’s branding
EasyGroup has been defeated in a trade mark dispute in the High Court against two footwear businesses that used the word “easy” in their marks.
The legal challenge launched by easyGroup targeted Estonian firm Easyfeetstore and American company Easyfeet Inc, both of which specialize in orthopedic and orthotic insoles.
Andriy Klishyn, shareholder of Easyfeetstore and director of Easyfeet Inc, also took part in the action.
Lawyers representing easyGroup, owned by Greek Cypriot businessman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, argued at a two-day hearing in February that the shoe companies had infringed seven of its trademarks, including the leading easyJet brand.
They also argued that Mr. Klishyn bore joint liability and that Easyfeetstore’s “easyfeet” trademark was invalid.
However, the shoe companies successfully defended the case in London. Mr Klishyn told the court that consumers purchasing insoles would not confuse them with products associated with easyGroup.
Judge Richard Hacon rejected the claim in his ruling Wednesday, finding that the “only similarity” between the trademarks and the shoe companies’ marks was the word “easy” for the word “easy” and that there was “no way” there was any chance of customers being confused.
He said: “I find that there is no relevant similarity between any of the seven trademarks and any of the defendants’ signatures and, in the case of six of the seven trademarks, there is no similarity in the goods or services.”
The judge stated that easyGroup was “not harmed” and that there was no “unfair advantage”.
As of last March, easyGroup had more than 380 “easy” branded business ventures and websites in its portfolio, including easyJet, easyBus and easyHotel.
The group has had numerous trademark disputes in the Supreme Court with rival companies that have “easy” in their names; In his ruling, Judge Hacon said he “appeared to be doing all he could to prevent the use of ‘easy’ signs without a licence.”
EasyGroup also lost the legal battle it filed in August 2025 over the Premier Inn hotel chain’s use of the phrase “be at ease”.
Following the decision, an easyGroup spokesperson said: “We believe this decision is wrong because it undermines the ability of owners of well-known brand families, such as the easy family of brands, to protect consumers from confusion.
“The other side wants consumers to believe they have something to do with the official easy brand family when they don’t.
“We will appeal and overturn the decision, as we have done many times in the past.”
