Prince’s former protégé, Apollonia Kotero, has initiated legal action against his estate, accusing them of attempting to ‘seize’ the rights to her name.
The 66-year-old from Santa Monica, California, responded to a petition from Paisley Park Enterprises LLC, which aims to trademark her name, Apollonia.
Apollonia, legally Patricia Apollonia Kotero, alleges in legal documents examined by the Daily Mail that the estate has made underhanded moves to ‘invalidate’ trademark applications she had previously filed.
The musician, with seven Grammy Awards to his name and known for classic tracks like Kiss, 1999, and Let’s Go Crazy, passed away on April 21, 2016, at age 57, due to an accidental fentanyl overdose at his residence in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Prince’s estate has sought to ‘acquire all things related to Prince even though it has no legal right to do so,’ Apollonia’s legal team said.
Apollonia initially met Prince while auditioning for a role in his 1984 film Purple Rain, which she later co-starred in with him.
Daily Mail has reached out to reps for both parties for further comment on the story.
Prince’s protege Apollonia Kotero, 66, has filed a lawsuit against the estate of the late music icon. Pictured in LA in 2019
Apollonia said the estate of the late musical icon tried ‘to steal’ the rights to her name. The two were pictured in 1991
Apollonia’s attorney, Daniel Cislo, informed the court that Prince had ‘agreed to and supported’ her utilization of the name as she continued in her ‘professional pursuits.’
‘Prince and Apollonia were friends, and he wanted her to be successful as Apollonia,’ said Cislo.
In the court submission, Apollonia’s lawyer argued that ‘the essential concepts of fairness—waiver, acquiescence, and laches—are completely applicable in this situation.’
Cislo said in the filing that ‘all of the goodwill associated with the name and trademark “Apollonia” for the past four decades is attributable to’ Apollonia, who posts to YouTube under her Apollonia Studio 6 banner.
Apollonia’s lawyer told the court that ‘there is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name.
‘Therefore, to protect her brand, Ms. Kotero owns several “Apollonia” trademark applications and registrations.’
Apollonia said that the estate had been involved in ‘an aggressive campaign before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in seeking to derail her efforts to register for trademarks.
Apollonia said that the estate of the late Minnesota icon was not the ‘rightful owner’ of her trademark – and that an early ruling was essential to stop the estate from running wild with spurious legal claims moving forward.
The seven-time Grammy winner died at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Pictured 2007
The late singer’s timeless hits include Purple Rain, When Doves Cry and Let’s Go Crazy. Pictured in 1984
Prince’s estate in June tried to gain ownership of the Apollonia name, as they approached the United States Patent and Trademark Office with an ‘intent-to-use’ application, according to Apollonia’s legal team.
Apollonia said she had sought to apply for trademarks for ‘use in connection with entertainment services’ and is asking the court to force Paisley Park Enterprises to pull back their applications.
Apollonia’s legal team described the problems with the Prince estate as a ‘real, immediate, and justiciable controversy.’
‘A judicial declaration is necessary to determine the respective rights of the parties regarding the asserted APOLLONIA trademarks.’
Prince passed away with no heirs, as his estate was split between his siblings and the publishing company Primary Wave.
Apollonia in April 2022 revealed in an interview that she still feels the presence of her former friend and collaborator.
‘No matter how much time goes by, he’s everywhere,’ she told People. ‘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.’
