Prince Estate Trademark Seizure: Apollonia Says Prince Would Be Appalled
Apollonia says Prince never meant to cause her any sorrow, so his estate shouldn’t either.
In a new declaration filed in her federal court lawsuit on Friday, the model and actress known as Apollonia claims Prince was “adamant” during a face-to-face meeting two months before his death that she should keep using and performing under the name he gave her to play his love interest in the iconic 1984 movie, Purple Rain.
Apollonia, 66, says that Susan Moonsie, another member of the girl group Apollonia 6 that Prince formed after the film’s release, was with her for the Feb.28, 2016, meeting that took place promptly after Prince’s Piano and a Microphone concert in Oakland, California.
“During our conversations that evening, Prince was adamant that we continue with our ventures such as musical performances, merchandising, and audiovisual projects, and that he wanted us both to use our Apollonia and Apollonia 6 trademarks to be able to earn a living, stay creative, and be financially secure in our later years,” Apollonia, born Patricia Kotero, wrote.
Kotero, who’s now suing the estate, says Prince never trademarked the name while he was alive, so the estate’s Paisley Park Enterprises was out of line when it assumed control of the Apollonia trademark last June and sought to cancel her other registrations and applications in a proceeding with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Kotero is now asking the court to reject the estate’s request that her lawsuit be dismissed.
“The truth is none of this litigation would have occurred if Prince were still alive,” she wrote in her declaration filed Friday. “He would be appalled by the unbecoming conduct of PPE and the efforts by PPE to usurp his wishes. I do not trust PPE, and I am afraid that if PPE is able to accomplish its goal of taking the Apollonia Marks from me, my identity will be lost, my rights will be diminished, my business will be interrupted, and I will be unable to use the Apollonia marks without repercussion from PPE.”
prince, the iconic musician, released his 17th studio album, Lovesexy, in 1988. Following his death in 2016, a complex legal process determined the distribution of his considerable estate due to the absence of a will and surviving children.
Prince’s 1988 Album Release
Prince released the album Lovesexy on May 10, 1988, through Paisley Park and Warner Bros. Records. Lovesexy was a double album and served as a follow-up to his critically acclaimed Sign o’ the Times (1987).
The album featured singles such as “Alphabet St.” and “Positivity,” and explored themes of sexuality, spirituality, and social commentary. It reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Prince’s Estate and Inheritance
Upon Prince’s death on April 21, 2016, at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, it was discovered he had not created a will. Prince died intestate, meaning without a will.
As Prince had no surviving children,minnesota law dictated that his estate would be divided equally among his six siblings: John Nelson,Norrine Nelson,Sharon Nelson,Ombeline Nelson,Alfred Jackson,and idella Jackson. NBC News reported on the naming of the heirs in May 2016.
The estate’s value was estimated to be worth over $150 million, including ownership of Paisley Park, master recordings, and publishing rights. Forbes detailed the estate’s complexities in May 2016.
Complications in Estate Administration
The administration of Prince’s estate faced numerous challenges, including disputes over the valuation of assets and the selection of financial institutions to manage the estate. Reuters reported on lawsuits related to asset valuation in December 2016.
In February 2024, the estate was fully settled after years of legal battles and negotiations. The BBC reported on the final settlement, noting the distribution of assets to the heirs.