Coachella asks UK multiple sclerosis charity to change name of fundraising event Couch-ella

Coachella warned of ‘possible confusion’ between California arts festival and virtual charity fundraiser

Coachella organisers have ordered a multiple sclerosis charity to change the name of their online fundraising festival.

Hertfordshire-based charity MS Trust were contacted by lawyers from the California festival in relation to their virtual fundraising event Couch-ella, due to take place on 22 August.

Coachella allegedly told them that the “Chella” was trademarked and warned of “possible confusion” between the two events.

MS Trust supports people affected by multiple sclerosis, an incurable lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.

The charity’s chief executive David Martin told BBC News: “They asked us to reconsider our name and see if there was something else we could use to avoid confusion.

“Half of me thought, ‘Shall we take them head-on?’ But in reality when lawyers get involved it costs a lot and we didn’t want to waste any of the charity’s money.”

The Independent has approached Coachella for comment.

The festival will now go ahead under the name MS Trust Home Festival, with comedy, dance and music classes and performances taking place online during the event.

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival which takes place in the California desert every summer. This year’s festival was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.