Steps Star H Hit By Tragedy!
When choosing a name for your business or event, securing proper brand clearance is not just a formality – it’s essential to avoid a costly rebrand. A recent example involving Welsh singer, actor, and former Steps member Ian “H” Watkins demonstrates just how quickly things can get complicated without it.
Watkins, the organiser of a small Welsh music festival previously named “Cowchella”, has been forced to rebrand after receiving a legal complaint from Coachella LLC, the company behind the globally renowned Coachella festival in California.
Despite its local charm and modest scale, Cowchella caught the attention of Coachella’s legal team, who argued the name was too close for comfort. As a result, the festival – held in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan – will now go ahead under a new name: The Moo-La-La Festival.
H remains upbeat about the enforced change, even calling the challenge “a massive compliment,” but acknowledged the significant impact: “We’ve spent a lot of money on marketing, flyers, posters, and banners that are now going in the bin…”
Cowchella is not alone. In 2024, North Shields-based “Coastella” was also forced to rename itself “Coast Fest” following similar legal pressure.
These cases underline a vital point for business owners, creatives, and event organisers: brand clearance at start of a venture is not only good practice, it’s an essential safeguard against a costly rebranding exercise, legal disputes, and repetitional risk.
If you are launching a new event, product, or brand (no matter how local or small), our team can help ensure your name is truly yours to use. Do not leave the future of your brand to chance.
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