Apollonia Sues Prince Estate Over 'Purple Rain' Name

Model and actress Apollonia Kotero has filed a federal lawsuit against Prince's estate, asserting the late musician wanted her to continue using the stage name "Apollonia," which he gave her for her role in "Purple Rain." Kotero claims Prince was adamant about this during a meeting two months before his death in 2016, wanting her to use the name and associated trademarks to maintain financial security.

Kotero alleges that Prince's estate, through Paisley Park Enterprises, wrongly seized control of the "Apollonia" trademark last June and is attempting to cancel her registrations. She argues that Prince never trademarked the name himself and that the estate's actions contradict his wishes. Kotero fears losing her identity and business if the estate succeeds in taking the marks from her.

The estate, however, stated it has repeatedly tried to resolve the dispute privately and claims it never threatened legal action against Kotero. In its motion to dismiss, the estate argued that the ownership of the trademark should be decided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A hearing on the estate's motion to dismiss is scheduled for February 13.