UK budget carrier EasyJet has sued musician Finn Keane, who performs as Easyfun, for allegedly copying its branding, including its “well-known orange styling”. EasyJet is reportedly seeking to stop Keane from using his current logo and brand in addition to unspecified damages. The lawsuit also concerns Keane’s 2015 Deep Trouble EP cover art that features people sliding off an aeroplane and into the ocean, with the airline claiming it is in bad taste and shows a serious aircrash. Keane has since changed the cover art to an ocean image, and has also removed examples of branding that mimicked EasyJet’s, while stating that such examples were intended “completely tongue in cheek”.
The legal action, filed by EasyJet founded Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, also names record label PC Music and its founder, AG Cook, as defendants. Haji-Ioannou claimed that Keane allegedly misappropriated EasyJet’s branding to create instant brand recognition for his “DJing business”. EasyJet also sued indie band Easy Life earlier this year for using a similar name.
Reports suggested that during the court hearing, EasyJet argued that Keane’s branding “poses a risk of serious harm to the reputation of the easyGroup’s trade marks”. Keane had argued that his image was intended as a humorous reference.
Keane has defended his logo. The DJ told Music Tech that if EasyJet “is annoyed at some of the artwork or images they think mimics the easyFamily get up, that has always been completely tongue in cheek”. The musician added that he intends to avoid creating similar artwork in future
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