Simon Cowell Regrets Not Taking Ownership Of One Direction Name: “That Was Me Being Very, Very Naive”

Simon Cowellsays he was naive when he signedOne Directionand regrets not keeping ownership of the name.

The band members were Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

I should have owned the name.

(L-R) Simon Cowell, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall HoranTrae Patton / NBC / Getty Images / Brian Rasic / WireImage

So, if it was me who owned the name, it wouldnt be a problem, Cowell said.

I can be very naive at times, and that was me being very, very naive.

So, next time, that will be part of the deal.

I have to own the name.

They can still make most of the money, but I need to own the name.

One Direction became a worldwide phenomenon following their formation onThe X-Factor UKin 2010.

The band didnt win the talent competition and placed third in Season 7.