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Prince Estate Settles 'Purple Rain' Star's Lawsuit
9 Apr
Summary
- Dueling trademark cases between Prince's estate and Apollonia resolved.
- The dispute centered on the ownership of the 'Apollonia 6' name.
- The legal proceedings began in 2018 following Prince's death.
After years of legal conflict, the estate of the iconic musician Prince and Apollonia (born Patty Kotero) have reached a confidential settlement, resolving their dueling trademark cases on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The dispute, initiated in 2018, two years after Prince's death, primarily concerned the trademark for 'Apollonia 6,' a girl group founded by Prince and fronted by Apollonia.
The Prince estate had filed to trademark the group's name but was initially rejected as Apollonia already held intellectual property rights. This led the estate to petition for the cancellation of Apollonia's ownership, sparking years of legal battles. Apollonia subsequently filed her own lawsuit last summer, accusing the estate of attempting to 'steal' her name.
Prince's estate had characterized Apollonia's lawsuit as 'frivolous,' asserting its desire for peaceful coexistence. The settlement was finalized shortly before a scheduled hearing on the estate's motion to dismiss, which was set to take place in Los Angeles this Friday, April 10, 2026.
Apollonia gained fame for her role in the 1984 film 'Purple Rain,' portraying a character of the same name. Her song 'Sex Shooter' from the movie charted on the Billboard Hot 100. She has continued to use the Apollonia moniker for music, acting, and podcasting. Prince's estate, managed by Paisley Park Enterprises, has been navigating complex probate proceedings since his death without a will.
