Patty Kotero, known professionally as Apollonia, has filed a lawsuit against Prince's estate, accusing Paisley Park Enterprises of attempting to cancel her trademarks and claim ownership of her stage name. The suit, filed Tuesday and reviewed by Variety, alleges that the estate launched an 'aggressive campaign' before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, claiming Kotero signed over rights to the name in her contracts for the 1984 film 'Purple Rain.'
Kotero, who co-starred as Apollonia in the film and was a protégé of Prince, argues that the statute of limitations for any breach of contract claim expired long ago. The complaint states that neither Prince nor his representatives ever asked her to stop using the name during his lifetime, and that they remained friends. 'He wanted her to be successful as Apollonia,' the suit reads.
The estate's representative called the lawsuit 'frivolous,' adding, 'As is our duty, we will continue to protect and preserve Prince's assets and legacy.' Paisley Park Enterprises filed two cancellation cases against Kotero's trademarks, one in 2019 and another in 2021, with one currently suspended and the other awaiting a motion to suspend.
Kotero's attorney, Daniel Cislo, maintains that all goodwill associated with the Apollonia name over the past four decades is attributable to his client. 'There is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name,' he argued. Kotero owns several trademark applications and registrations for the name.
