A driveway cleaning business owner, Jozsef Spekker, has been ordered to pay damages to easyJet’s parent company following a trademark dispute. Spekker, who operated under the name EasyJetwash, was contacted by easyGroup boss Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou in June and instructed to rebrand his company to avoid a legal battle. The one-man business had been offering pressure washing services in Staffordshire for three years. Sir Stelios, a billionaire, required Spekker to change his brand to Stokejetwash and pay damages and legal costs.
Spekker has agreed to the terms and expressed relief at avoiding a court case. He now has 18 months to transition to the new brand name. Previously, Spekker was threatened with legal action after registering the trademark in 2022. He asserted that his business was distinct from easyJet’s offerings and had been approved as a trademark. Despite the challenges, Spekker remains positive about the rebranding process.
Sir Stelios emphasised the importance of protecting the easyJet brand and preventing confusion among consumers. He highlighted that Spekker had manipulated search engine results to benefit from easyJet’s reputation, leading to the successful resolution of the dispute. The phased rebranding period aims to ensure a smooth transition for Spekker’s customers.
The agreement between the parties signifies a resolution to the trademark conflict, providing a clear path for Spekker to comply with legal requirements while continuing to operate his cleaning business. The case highlights the significance of intellectual property rights and the need for business owners to adhere to trademark regulations to avoid legal repercussions.