One Direction, the British/Irish band of X Factor U.K.-fame, is apparently not the only band out there with that name. A U.S. pop group has been selling music under the name since 2011, and they’re suing.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the U.S. band has slapped Simon Cowell’s record label, Syco Entertainment, and Sony Music with a “$1 million lawsuit that says that One Direction (U.K.) can’t navigate itself into U.S. jurisdiction without causing consumer confusion and destroying the goodwill of the U.S.-based doppelganger.”

The American One Direction has been selling music on iTunes since February 2011, and the band’s music video for the song “2012” has garnered more than 100,000 views on Youtube.

The U.S. band’s attorney Peter Ross claims that One Direction (U.K.) was made aware of the name conflict when it tried to apply with the U.S. Trademark Office.

“Rather than change their name or do anything to create confusion or avoid damage to our goodwill, they chose to press ahead and come on their tour,” Ross says.

No comment yet from Cowell or Sony Music.

Should One Direction (U.K.) have to change its name?

Thanks to SnapeScape for the tip.