X Factor angers Brighton charity over Rhythmix band
- Published
Rhythmix were chosen to take part in the lives shows after Judges Houses
A music charity for vulnerable children is taking legal advice after a girl band on the TV show X Factor started using the same name.
The group Rhythmix were put together after entering the show as four soloists and are in the final 16 acts.
Brighton-based charity Rhythmix, which has been operating in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, fears it will cause confusion.
X Factor said there was no conflict because the charity used the name for educational purposes only.
Rhythmix charity, which receives National Lottery funding, has 50 musicians who have worked with 40,000 young people through youth support services.
It said it wanted to make it clear there was no connection between the charity and the TV show or the band and was discussing with lawyers how to resolve the matter.
"We contacted them (X Factor) on Sunday to say 'do you realise that this is the name of a music education charity working with vulnerable young people?'" said consultant Lucy Stone.
Trademarks checked
"We are just asking them to stop and think about what they are doing and what impact they are going to have on a charity at such an already really challenging financial time.
Lucy Stone said X Factor told the charity to consult a lawyer about the issue
"Their response was, 'Get a lawyer'."
Media lawyer Paul Gilbert said X Factor was being "a bit disingenuous".
"I think they could at least make some statement to make it clear the distinction between the two and to support the charity in the good work they are doing," he said.
An X Factor spokesman said it checked all band names for trademarks once they were selected for the live shows and it was aware of the charity.
"The charity in question have trademarked the name Rhythmix for educational purposes only, which is not in conflict with the band or the show," it said.