The case is likely to go to court as a spokesman for Simon Cowell's UK group said: "One Direction's management tried to resolve the situation amicably. One Direction's lawyers now have no choice but to defend the lawsuit and the band's right to use their name."

Dan O'Leary, manager of the US band that brought the case against the UK boys said, "I don't care how powerful Simon Cowell is. He's mad if he thinks we're going to lie down, ...