Prince Estate Responds to Lawsuit Over 'Apollonia' Name Usage

The estate of Prince has responded to a lawsuit filed by Patty “Apollonia” Kotero, claiming that the estate was trying to prevent her from using her professional name. The estate was reportedly seeking to trademark “Apollonia” for its own commercial purposes. Kotero argued that she had been allowed to use the name by Prince and that any contracts related to it should have expired.

In a statement, the estate referred to Kotero's lawsuit as "frivolous" and pointed out that she had previously trademarked the name herself, although the registration had been canceled. The estate stated that Apollonia was free to continue using the name and that they had offered her opportunities to perform at Paisley Park under that name. The estate also mentioned ongoing disputes over trademark registrations and expressed a commitment to protecting Prince's assets and legacy.

The estate emphasized that the name "Apollonia" was given to the character by Prince over 40 years ago and that they had not instructed Kotero to stop using it. They highlighted their efforts to settle disputes related to trademark registrations and noted the cancellation of Kotero's registration by the US Patent & Trademark Office. The estate anticipated that Kotero's lawsuit would be dismissed and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding Prince's assets and legacy.

In conclusion, the estate of Prince has responded to the lawsuit filed by Patty “Apollonia” Kotero regarding the use of her professional name. They have emphasized their efforts to protect Prince's interests and legacy, stating that they will continue to uphold their duty in preserving his assets.