Settlement brings proceedings between Butler Direct Ltd and Butlers with Bums Limited to an end, with no damages or costs payable.
Following proceedings in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, Butler Direct has reached a full and final settlement with Butlers with Bums Limited. Under a High Court consent order made on 19 August 2026, the claim and counterclaim have been brought to an end.
Under the settlement, Butler Direct has secured the right to use ‘butler in the buff’ descriptively, subject to the terms of the order. No sum is payable by either party to the other, and each party now bears only its own legal costs. Additionally, the following have been dismissed:
- Claims for an inquiry as to damages
- Butler Direct’s counterclaim
- The claimant’s claim for an account of profits
About the Butlers with Bums dispute
The court proceedings centred around the use of the phrase ‘butler in the buff’.
Butler Direct was the first competitor to formally challenge the trademark itself, bringing a counterclaim that sought to have the trademark declared invalid. The counterclaim, which was dismissed as part of the settlement, sought to establish a right for businesses across the industry to use the phrase descriptively.
Previously, Butlers with Bums had notified other businesses using the phrase. In response, those competing businesses made changes without bringing legal proceedings to challenge the trademark.
Settlement outcome
As part of the settlement, Butler Direct has given undertakings to the court concerning the use of the Butlers with Bums registered trademark.
These terms relate to how certain terminology can be used in online marketing and social media posts. They do not prevent or change anything about the classic Butler Direct service and experience. The settlement also means that a hearing previously listed for 5 November 2026 will no longer take place.
Here’s what this means to Butler Direct:
“We are incredibly proud of how Butler Direct has handled the case and of what the outcome means for our staff, clients and competitors across the industry. Rather than simply changing how we used a phrase that describes the services we provide, we chose to challenge the trademark itself.”
“We hope the outcome of this settlement provides greater clarity around the use of descriptive language across the sector.”
Looking forward
Business as usual: for Butler Direct, the settlement means the business can now focus fully on what comes next.
Founded in 2022, Butler Direct has grown rapidly since its launch. The business focuses on providing high-quality butler entertainment, putting staff and clients at the heart of its service.
“We believe the best response to a two-and-a-half-year legal battle is to keep doing what we have always done: providing great experiences for clients, creating opportunities for talented staff and continuing to grow.”
“Our focus is now firmly on the future. Butler Direct has grown rapidly since its formation and our ambition is to continue that trajectory, further expand our national operation and solidify our position as a market leader in hen party entertainment.”