Asos is facing a legal challenge from a similarly-named rival retailer in Germany.

German menswear retailer Anson’s is seeking legal action to prevent the use of the Asos name to sell clothes in Germany as it argues the UK etailer’s name is similar to its own.

The German retailer argues there is a danger of customer confusion, according to the Financial Times. If the Hamburg court, where it has registered its complaint, agrees it may force Asos to use a different name in Germany, Europe’s largest economy.

The move comes as Asos ramps up international expansion; the online giant saw its overseas arm overtake UK sales for the first time in the three months to March 31. It plans to open a handful of new international sites, thought to include Spain and Australia, this year.

Anson’s, which has 21 stores in Germany, has a website but does not sell online. A hearing on the case is due to take place on May 3.  

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