Purple Rain Feud: Prince's Estate Sued by Co-Star Apollonia Over Name Rights
PRINCE'S ESTATE IN DISPUTE OVER APOLLONIA KOTERO'S NAME - EXCLUSIVE
In a shocking turn of events, Prince's protege and former co-star Apollonia Kotero has filed a lawsuit against the late musical icon's estate, claiming they're trying to "steal" her name. The drama unfolds as Paisley Park Enterprises LLC, the company managing Prince's legacy, attempted to trademark the name Apollonia without permission.
Apollonia, whose full name is Patricia Apollonia Kotero, has been a beloved figure in the music industry since her time working with Prince in the 1980s. The 66-year-old California native met Prince while auditioning for a role in his iconic film Purple Rain, which she later co-starred in alongside the legendary musician.
According to court documents reviewed by thescholarlynote.com, Apollonia's team claims that Prince's estate has been involved in an "aggressive campaign" to derail her efforts to register trademarks for her name. The lawsuit alleges that Paisley Park Enterprises has sought to acquire all things related to Prince, despite having no legal right to do so.
The drama began when Paisley Park Enterprises applied to trademark the name Apollonia, which Apollonia's lawyer Daniel Cislo argues is a blatant attempt to usurp her identity. "Prince and Apollonia were friends, and he wanted her to be successful as Apollonia," Cislo stated in the court filing.
Cislo emphasized that Prince had consented to and encouraged Apollonia to use the name moving forward in her professional endeavors. He stressed that if the fundamental principles of fairness - waiver, acquiescence, and laches apply - they most certainly do in this case. "All of the goodwill associated with the name and trademark 'Apollonia' for the past four decades is attributable to" Apollonia herself.
Apollonia's lawyer argued that there is only one genuine Apollonia, and she is the source of all goods and services provided under her name. He noted that Apollonia owns several "Apollonia" trademark applications and registrations, which Paisley Park Enterprises has been attempting to cancel.
The lawsuit claims that Prince's estate had become embroiled in an "aggressive campaign" before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to derail her efforts to register trademarks for her name. Apollonia's team argues that this is a clear attempt by Paisley Park Enterprises to protect their own interests, rather than preserve Prince's legacy.
In a surprising twist, it was revealed that Prince passed away with no heirs, leaving his estate split between his siblings and the publishing company Primary Wave. This has led some to speculate that Paisley Park Enterprises may be trying to consolidate control over all aspects of Prince's brand, including Apollonia's name.
When asked about her experience working with Prince, Apollonia spoke candidly in an interview last year. "No matter how much time goes by, he's everywhere," she shared with People magazine. "I see him in everything. I go to a restaurant and Purple Rain comes on or I get in my car and Take Me with U comes on."
The lawsuit seeks to protect Apollonia's brand and prevent Paisley Park Enterprises from exploiting her name for their own gain. As the case unfolds, one thing is certain - this drama is about to take center stage in the music industry.
In a statement, Apollonia's lawyer Daniel Cislo emphasized that "a judicial declaration is necessary to determine the respective rights of the parties regarding the asserted APOLLONIA trademarks." The court will ultimately decide whether Paisley Park Enterprises has any legitimate claim to Apollonia's name or if they are simply trying to cash in on Prince's legacy.
As fans and industry insiders await the outcome, one thing remains clear: this is a battle for control over the soul of Prince's brand.