IPEC Dismisses easyGroup Easyfeetstore Claims
Published: 28 September 2026
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court has dismissed all claims brought by easyGroup Limited against Easyfeetstore OÜ and related parties. easyGroup alleged trade mark infringement under sections 10(2) and 10(3) of the Trade Marks Act 1994, passing off and invalidity of the defendants’ EASYFEET registration. The defendants sell orthopaedic and orthotic insoles online in the UK under EASYFEET and EASYFEETSTORE signs.
HHJ Hacon held that the word “easy” is descriptive and lacks inherent distinctiveness. easyGroup failed to prove that consumers recognise a family of “easy” marks as originating from its businesses, despite numerous prior actions. There was no relevant similarity between the signs and easyGroup’s marks sufficient to give rise to a likelihood of confusion, nor evidence of any link for the reputation-based claim. The passing off and invalidity claims accordingly failed.
The judgment underscores the evidential requirements when enforcing marks built around common descriptive terms.
Small-business owners should document consumer perception of their marks and monitor for actual confusion when defending or enforcing rights involving descriptive elements.
HHJ Hacon held that the word “easy” is descriptive and lacks inherent distinctiveness. easyGroup failed to prove that consumers recognise a family of “easy” marks as originating from its businesses, despite numerous prior actions. There was no relevant similarity between the signs and easyGroup’s marks sufficient to give rise to a likelihood of confusion, nor evidence of any link for the reputation-based claim. The passing off and invalidity claims accordingly failed.
The judgment underscores the evidential requirements when enforcing marks built around common descriptive terms.
Small-business owners should document consumer perception of their marks and monitor for actual confusion when defending or enforcing rights involving descriptive elements.
Summarised in our own words from public sources.