Simon Cowell’s New Boy Band “December 10” Faces Legal Firestorm Over Name

Simon Cowell’s newest pop venture is already in hot water. His freshly formed boy band, December 10, is facing a legal challenge over its name. The dispute comes from an established Scottish rock band with the same name. This clash threatens the launch of Cowell’s highly publicized new group.

The seven-member band debuted on Netflix in Cowell’s documentary, “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.” They released their first music video days later. Now, their future branding is uncertain due to a potential trademark infringement.

A Clash of Bands and Trademarks

The Scottish band, named December Tenth, has been active since 2020. According to reports from The Mirror, their name holds deep personal significance. It references the execution date of a death row inmate they corresponded with as pen pals.

Upon the launch of Cowell’s group, the rock band’s social media was flooded. Fans confused them with the new pop act. The Scottish musicians quickly issued a public statement. They called for Cowell’s legal team to contact them to resolve the matter.

This situation mirrors a past incident in Cowell’s career. In 2011, his girl group Rhythmix was forced to change its name to Little Mix. A children’s music charity of the same name claimed trademark rights. History may be repeating itself.

Who Are the New December 10 Members?

Cowell’s December 10 consists of seven young singers chosen through a global audition. The members are Nicolas Alves, Cruz Lee-Ojo, Hendrik Christoffersen, John Fadare, Josh Oliver, Danny Bretherton, and Seán Hayden. Their ages range from 16 to 19 years old.

The group’s first release is a cover of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” They are signed to EMI/Universal Music. This backing provides major industry support. However, the name dispute casts a shadow over their carefully planned debut campaign.

The core issue is trademark priority. The Scottish band established their name four years prior. Legal experts suggest this gives them a strong position. Negotiation or a name change for Cowell’s group may be inevitable.

The legal showdown over the December 10 name underscores the fierce competition in music branding. It could force Simon Cowell’s latest project to rebrand before it even gets started.

Info at your fingertips

Why did Simon Cowell name the band December 10?

The band is named after the December 10 release date of Cowell’s Netflix documentary, “The Next Act.” The date marks the official launch of his search for a new global boy band.

What is the Scottish band December Tenth’s claim?

The Scottish rock band claims prior use of the name, having formed in 2020. They state the name is tied to a meaningful personal story, giving them legitimate trademark grounds.

Will Simon Cowell’s band have to change its name?

It is a strong possibility. Given the precedent with Little Mix and the Scottish band’s prior claim, a settlement or rebranding is likely to avoid a prolonged legal battle.

Has this affected the band’s debut?

Their debut video for “Bye Bye Bye” has been released. However, the legal confusion may hinder marketing efforts and fan community building until the name issue is resolved.