‘Purple Rain’ co-star Apollonia sues Prince’s estate for trying to “steal” her name
Singer-songwriter Apollonia has filed a lawsuit against Prince‘s estate, in which she accuses them of attempting to “steal” her name.
Patricia Apollonia Kotero previously starred in Prince’s 1984 Purple Rain film as his love interest, called Apollonia. After this, the star alleges in the lawsuit, filed on August 19th, that “Prince himself consented to and encouraged Apollonia in her professional endeavors” using that name.
However, after four decades of her using the alias, the estate allegedly tried to claim ownership of the trademark this summer. They filled out an “intent-to-use” application, which would allow the use of the name for entertainment services and clothing.
In response, Kotero filed a 14-page complaint against the late singer’s estate. Piasley Park Enterprises.
As reported by Rolling Stone, in the suit, Kotero insists that Prince never asked her to stop going by the name Apollonia. He did not “contend that the name did not belong to her either personally or professionally.”
Consequently, her legal team has stated that the estate should not be entitled to the ownership of the Apollonia trademark. Kotero has also claimed that Paisley Park Enterprises has endeavoured to cancel her trademark applications and registrations, despite her being the “rightful owner”.
“All of the goodwill associated with the name and trademark ‘Apollonia’ for the past four decades is attributable to the plaintiff. There is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name,” her statement reads. “Our client fully expects to prevail in protecting her name,” Kotero’s lawyer, Daniel M. Cislo, said in an email to Rolling Stone.
However, the estate has suggested that Kotero waived her rights to the name in 1983 when she signed a contract for her performance in Purple Rain. Kotero claims that if this is the case, the rights would have expired by now.
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