Virgin Holidays accuses 'The Voice' UK of copyright infringement

Published May 2 2012, 11:58 BST  |  By Andrew Laughlin

Virgin Holidays has said that it is exploring potential legal action against BBC One's The Voice UK over alleged copyright infringement in the show's V-Room area.

Introduced in episodes of The Voice UK aired last weekend, the V-Room is described as a "bright red nerve-centre of internet chatter", in which presenter Reggie Yates discusses social media activity around the hit talent show.

However, Virgin Holidays has operated 'v-room' branded lounges at Gatwick and Manchester airports for the past four years.

"These lounges are exclusively for the use of Virgin Holidays customers and are designed to give them a spacious and well-appointed area with a free buffet, a gaming zone for the kids, a space for infants and a bar for the adults, in which to relax with their families prior to catching their flight," said the company.

"They are extremely popular with our customers. We are the only holiday company in the UK to offer this service, and the v-room concept is an integral element of our Rockstar Service offering."

Virgin Holidays said that it is concerned that the BBC may have infringed its copyright with the V-Room branding, and the company is therefore exploring potential legal action.

"In the light of this, and the confusion this is causing our customers who are questioning the motives of the BBC in online conversations because they are unsure which property is which," commented the travel operator.

"Virgin Holidays is currently exploring whether the use of the term in The Voice UK represents a copyright infringement and if it is proven to be so, will consider appropriate legal action."