Sugababes deny dispute over name

The current Sugababes lineup have denied that there is a dispute over who owns the name of the group.

The trio insisted that they have the legal right to use the Sugababes brand after it emerged that founding member Mutya Buena, who quit the group in 2005, has applied for ownership of the name.

"Our record company own the name Sugababes," Heidi Range told BBC Newsbeat. "So there's no conversations about who owns the name.

"I signed to Universal Records eight and a half years ago with Mutya and Keisha as the Sugababes, so we've still got the name."

She added: "I don't know whether it's just the press kicking up a bit of a fuss but nothing that we're aware of."

Buena has reportedly asked the European Trademarks Authority to rule on her case, which is expected to take months.

Newest recruit Jade Ewen, who replaced Keisha Buchanan in September, added that she was not surprised by the actions of former members.

"It would be nice for it to be a bit more positive but it's to be expected," she said. "We can't even blame anybody for feeling the way they do."

Sugababes release new album Sweet 7 on March 15.

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