Prince's Estate Settles With Apollonia in Trademark War
Rolling Stone • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Apollonia (Patricia Kotero) has reached a confidential settlement with Prince’s estate, ending her lawsuit seeking affirmation of her right to use the name Prince gave her during the 1984 film Purple Rain.
- The settlement includes each party bearing its own legal fees, with no disclosed terms, and was announced shortly before a scheduled hearing on the estate’s motion to dismiss the case.
- Kotero alleged the estate was improperly trying to control and cancel her trademark rights to the name Apollonia, which Prince never trademarked before his death in 2016, and claimed the dispute threatens her identity and livelihood.
- The Prince estate stated its duty to protect Prince’s legacy and expressed willingness to work amicably with Kotero, denying any intent to prevent her use of the name and emphasizing trademark office jurisdiction over ownership disputes.
- Kotero, known for her role in Purple Rain and subsequent music and acting career under the name Apollonia, also raised concerns about the estate’s use of the name in a Purple Rain musical, which the estate countered as permissible use.
