EasyJet founder's private investment vehicle EasyGroup sues Irish firm over the use of word Easy

Company seeking injunctions to restrain ER Travel from using 'easi' in its car hire and camper van websites

EasyGroup is seeking injunctions restraining ER from offering or providing car, van or other vehicle hire services under the name Easirent or Easirent Car Hire.

A private investment vehicle of easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has brought High Court proceedings claiming an Irish-registered company is infringing its trademark registration of the word "easy".

The businessman's investment vehicle, EasyGroup Ltd, along with EasyGroup IP Ireland Ltd, is suing ER Travel Ltd, with registered address at Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin.

EasyGroup is seeking injunctions restraining ER from offering or providing car, van or other vehicle hire services under the name Easirent or Easirent Car Hire.

The injunction is also being sought to prevent the use of website names including easirent.ie, easirentcampervanhire.com and easirentvans.com.

It also seeks damages for passing off and orders including the forfeiture of all infringing materials or articles.

ER denies the claims. 

Following an application to have the EasyGroup proceedings admitted to the High Court's fast-track commercial division on Monday, Mr Justice Denis McDonald adjourned it for a week to allow ER provide a replying affidavit to the entry application.

In an affidavit seeking entry to the Commercial Court, Charleen O'Keeffe, partner in William Fry solicitors which represents the plaintiffs, said EasyGroup Ltd owns and/or runs several business which trade under names using the word "easy", together with a second word which alludes to the goods or services offered by the particular brand.

The "easy" family of brands includes easyJet, easyCar and easyHotel.

Ms O'Keeffe said the alleged infringing signs have been used on various social media accounts. Easirent.ie offers vehicle hire in Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports.

She said the defendant was called upon to desist but when no substantive response was received, proceedings were issued.