Apollonia Files Lawsuit Against Prince’s Estate Over Name Dispute

## Apollonia Files Lawsuit Against Prince’s Estate

Singer and songwriter Apollonia, known for her close association with the late Prince, has initiated legal action this week. The lawsuit claims that Prince’s estate, along with Paisley Park Enterprises, is attempting to unlawfully claim her name.

### The Basis of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit argues that Prince himself supported and encouraged Apollonia to pursue her career under that name. It contends that this situation infringes upon principles of fairness, specifically waiver, acquiescence, and laches. According to the complaint, Prince’s estate acted improperly by asserting ownership of the “Apollonia” trademark in June, when they filed an application for its use in clothing and entertainment.

### Claims of Trademark Ownership

Apollonia asserts that she has been using the name for over 40 years, stating that she is the “rightful owner.” She argues that the estate’s claims of “public confusion” are unfounded. The legal action seeks an order from the court to affirm her ownership of the name and its related trademarks.

“All goodwill related to the name and trademark ‘Apollonia’ for the past four decades belongs to the plaintiff,” the lawsuit emphasizes. “There is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of all goods and services provided under this name.”

### Early Success and Collaboration with Prince

Apollonia gained fame through her role in *Purple Rain*, which was followed by a worldwide tour promoting the film and her hit song “Sex Shooter.” The lawsuit highlights her lifelong friendship with Prince, as they collaborated on projects, including co-writing the Bangles hit “Manic Monday.” She also contributed vocals to Prince’s song “Take Me With You” and starred in the television series *Falcon Crest* under the name Apollonia. In 1988, she released a self-titled solo album.

### Disputed Rights

The estate claims that Kotero waived her rights to the name when she signed a contract in 1983 for her role in *Purple Rain*. However, Apollonia counters that if such a contract existed, its ownership rights were never enforced, leading to their expiry.

Attempts to contact Prince’s estate for comment have not yielded immediate results. Following Prince’s passing in 2016 from an accidental overdose, he left behind no will and no children, resulting in equal inheritance among his six siblings.

What are your thoughts on this ongoing legal drama?