Former actress, singer, and close associate of Prince, Patricia (Patty) Kotero, known by her stage name Apollonia, has filed a lawsuit against the legendary musician's heirs. She demands to be recognized as the sole legal owner of the name "Apollonia," which, she claims, she has been using for over four decades. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
The essence of the conflict
Kotero claims that Prince's heirs filed an application this summer to register the trademark "Apollonia" for use in clothing and entertainment services. Moreover, they appealed to the US Patent Office with a request to cancel her own trademark, citing contracts she signed back in 1983–1984, during her collaboration with Prince.
Apollonia is convinced that this violates her rights.
Throughout all these years, neither Prince himself nor his representatives have ever questioned my right to use the name Apollonia
Who is Apollonia
The actress gained worldwide fame thanks to her role as Prince's lover in the cult film "Purple Rain" (1984). Subsequently, she starred in the television series "Falcon Crest," released a solo album, and collaborated with Prince on the Bangles' hit – "Manic Monday." Until the artist's death in 2016, she maintained a friendly relationship with him.
Today, Kotero hosts the podcast "Apollonia Studio 6" and actively acts as a public figure. Her lawyer, Dan Sislo, stated that she is "fully confident in winning and defending her own name."
A California court must determine whether the heirs have grounds to claim the trademark "Apollonia," or whether this name is definitively assigned to Kotero.