The charity shopping website Easyfundraising has said it will defend itself from “desperate claims” after the founder of easyJet complained to the Charity Commission in an ongoing naming dispute.
EasyGroup, which owns the easyJet airline, announced plans to sue Easyfundraising in 2022 over the use of the word easy in its name.
The business’ case is for “trademark infringement and passing off”, meaning it believes that Easyfundraising, which has been operating under the name since 2005, is making unauthorised use of and benefitting from the brand’s reputation.
Last week, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, part-owner of easyGroup, sent a letter to Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, claiming Easyfundraising “propagated two falsehoods” with its business model.
“One falsehood is that it is a charitable endeavour when it is not,” said the letter.
“The second falsehood is that it has something to do with easyJet when it doesn’t.”
The two parties are set for a court hearing in the summer and Easyfundraising said it had “nothing to hide”.
James Moir, chief executive of Easyfundraising, told Third Sector the company would continue to fight “baseless accusations from this corporate bully”.
He said: “Stelios and easyGroup must be worried about the strength of our case as these are desperate claims.
“In desperation, easyGroup is now throwing as much mud at the wall as it can in a poor attempt to discredit us.
“This is a path that easyGroup has followed many times as a route to try to cheaply acquire brands to join the easyGroup band and pay a licence fee for the privilege.
“It’s both corporate bullying and effectively a modern-day racket.”
Easyfundraising is classed as a technology for good company and professional fundraiser, meaning it is subject to charity law.
“We have nothing to hide and are more than happy to supply any additional information should the Charity Commission require it,” said Moir.
“For many years our annual accounts have been fully audited by an independent management accountancy firm, confirming that our financial practices are sound. The payment of monies to our good causes is a key part of this.”
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have received a letter raising concerns about a fundraising platform called Easyfundraising.
“We are currently reviewing the information available to us to determine if there is a role for the commission.”