Apollonia Kotero, famously known for her role in the 1984 movie musical ‘Purple Rain’ alongside Prince, has taken legal action against Prince’s estate, alleging that they are trying to unlawfully claim her name. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Kotero states that Paisley Park Enterprises, representing Prince’s estate, is making attempts to challenge the trademark applications she has filed for the name ‘Apollonia’ that she has been using for over four decades.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/apollonia-prince-1-082025-5e1ff421ce294c34b2898980cef0ac21.jpg)
The court documents obtained by PEOPLE reveal that Kotero, whose full name is Patricia Apollonia Kotero, claims that Prince himself supported and approved of her professional use of the name ‘Apollonia’. The actress, now 66, has been using this name for her performances, podcast, and other ventures since her time working with the late musician. Kotero asserts that she is the sole source of the goods and services associated with the name ‘Apollonia’ and has trademark applications and registrations to protect her brand.
Allegations from Kotero suggest that Prince’s estate is disputing her ownership of the name and has initiated aggressive actions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in an effort to cancel her trademark registrations and block her applications. The ongoing legal battle indicates that the estate is challenging Kotero’s rights to the name, with potential consequences if they succeed, including ceasing her use of the name and possible trademark infringement claims against her.
Kotero’s lawsuit maintains that the dispute between her and Prince’s estate constitutes a genuine and pressing legal conflict that requires judicial intervention to determine the rightful ownership of the ‘Apollonia’ trademarks. Seeking a declaratory judgment, Kotero aims to establish her entitlement to her name and associated marks, safeguarding her ability to continue using, promoting, and marketing her goods and services under the ‘APOLLONIA Marks’ without interference from the estate.
Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Kotero has established a strong association between herself and the name ‘Apollonia’. She argues that the name serves as a significant identifier for her work, including music, acting credits, streaming platforms, and promotional materials. In her legal pursuit, Kotero seeks clarification from the court that her usage of ‘Apollonia’ does not infringe on any protectable trademarks held by Prince’s estate and demands protection for her continued use and promotion of the ‘APOLLONIA Marks’.
As the legal battle unfolds, PEOPLE reached out to Prince’s estate for comment, which was met with no immediate response. Prince, a prolific musician known for iconic hits such as “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Kiss,” tragically passed away in April 2016 at the age of 57. Following his death, complications arose concerning the distribution of his estate, which is now divided equally between publisher Primary Wave and his siblings.
The lawsuit brought forth by Apollonia Kotero sheds light on a complex legal dispute revolving around the ownership and usage of her name, highlighting the importance of protecting individual identities in the realm of intellectual property rights. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for both parties involved and may set a precedent in similar intellectual property conflicts in the entertainment industry.