Easyfundraising win battle against EasyGroup [12/09/2024]
Easyfundraising’s CEO, James Moir, expressed relief, stating that the court ruling validated their decision to fight EasyGroup’s “ridiculous claims.” He highlighted that EasyGroup failed to provide any evidence of customer confusion, despite the fact that Easyfundraising has operated independently for nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of EasyGroup, plans to appeal the decision, arguing the judgement contains contradictions. This case is likely to have implications for other businesses facing similar legal threats from EasyGroup.
This case is just one of many trade mark battles for easyGroup, the holding company founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, which owns the “easy” family of brands, including easyJet, easyHotel, and easyCar. Known for fiercely defending its brand, easyGroup has a history of legal disputes against companies using the “easy” prefix without permission. These battles have included everything from a pressure washing company in Newcastle-under-Lyme to cosmetic businesses. The group argues that these infringements dilute their brand identity and create confusion among consumers, further motivating their ongoing legal actions to protect their trade mark across various sectors.
Easyfundraising, which calls itself the UK’s “biggest charity shopping site,” has raised over £50 million for various causes since its launch in 2005. From large charities to local school groups, the platform allows users to generate donations as they shop online, with brands paying a commission that Easyfundraising shares with the buyer’s chosen cause.
Legal Dispute Between easyGroup and Easyfundraising
However, the platform is currently under scrutiny by the Charity Commission following a complaint from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet and easyGroup. EasyGroup recently took legal action against Easyfundraising over the use of the word “easy,” with a trial concluding last June and a judgment expected soon. Haji-Ioannou’s concerns also extend beyond trade mark issues, as his legal team raised questions in court about whether Easyfundraising, which is backed by private equity firm Palatine, misleads the public by presenting itself as a charity.
Allegations of Misleading the Public
Haji-Ioannou pointed out that only 13% of the causes on the website are registered charities, making it, in his view, misleading to describe the platform as a “charity organisation” on social media. Others using the site include, scouts groups and schools. He criticised Easyfundraising, stating, “I believe they can only make money by misleading the donating public that they are a charity – when in fact they are a very profitable company.”
Easyfundraising’s Response
In response, Easyfundraising has denied these allegations, describing them as “mud-slinging tactics.” The company emphasised that users are informed it is a private firm and that it complies with all relevant charity and fundraising regulations. Alex Heasley, Easyfundraising’s chief customer officer, clarified that the platform serves as a fundraising tool rather than a traditional charity, and the description of it as a “charity organisation” on Facebook was due to the lack of a more suitable category. Heasley also highlighted that small, unregistered causes are the backbone of the platform, and that users have control over marketing communications.
Despite the controversy, Easyfundraising continues to receive generally positive reviews on Trustpilot, although some users have raised issues with persistent marketing emails and the eligibility of certain purchases for donations. The Charity Commission is reviewing the situation, with a spokesperson confirming they are assessing whether further action is necessary.
Easyfundraising remains confident of a favourable outcome in its legal dispute with easyGroup, stating that the latest complaint is part of an ongoing campaign against the platform. The company reiterated its pride in its technology that facilitates charitable giving and its willingness to cooperate with the Charity Commission’s inquiries.
If your business name or brand is at risk of being imitated or misused, it’s crucial to take action before it’s too late. At National Business Register, we specialise in protecting your intellectual property, ensuring your brand remains secure from infringement. Don’t wait until a dispute arises—contact us today to discuss how we can help safeguard your business on Info@nbrg.co.uk or by calling 0800 069 9090.
