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Former Prince<\/a> collaborator Apollonia has launched a lawsuit against the musician\u2019s estate, claiming it it trying to \u201csteal\u201d the name she\u2019s used for four decades.<\/p>\n Apollonia \u2013 full name Patricia Apollonia Kotero \u2013 responded to a trademarking attempt with a 14-page complaint filed in a Los Angeles federal court, Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a> reported.<\/p>\n The paperwork said that Prince\u2019s estate tried to register her name in June, aiming to reserve its use for commercial purposes and therefore making it illegal for her to do so.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Prince Role in \u2018Purple Rain\u2019 Musical Goes to Newcomer<\/a><\/p>\n Accusing the corporation of preparing to risk \u201cpublic confusion,\u201d she said she\u2019d been using \u201cApollonia\u201d ever since co-starring in 1984 movie Purple Rain<\/em><\/a> as the character of the same name.<\/p>\n She said Prince never \u201ccontended that the name did not belong to her, either personally or professionally,\u201d adding: \u201cIn fact, Prince himself consented to and encouraged Apollonia in her professional endeavors as \u2018Apollonia.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cIf ever the fundamental principles of fairness \u2013 waiver, acquiescence, and laches \u2013 apply, they apply here.\u201d<\/p>\n The lawsuit contended: \u201cAll of the goodwill associated with the name and trademark \u2018Apollonia\u2019 for the past four decades is attributable to plaintiff. There is only one Apollonia, and Apollonia is the source of the goods and services provided under this name.\u201d<\/p>\n The estate, her lawsuit claimed, had taken the position that a 1983 contract for the movie included a waiver over all rights to the name. However, she contended, the waiver was \u201cnever enforced\u201d and so any such rights had expired \u201clong ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the other examples used to cite her claim over the title, she noted that she\u2019d remained \u201clifelong friends\u201d with Prince, toured using the name, released a 1988 solo album with that title, and was credited with it as an actress in the ’80s TV show Falcon Crest<\/em>.<\/p>\n The prolific, genre-blending musician’s fashion sense evolved just as often as his music during his four decades in the public eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPrince Never Enforced Apollonia Name Rights, She Says<\/h3>\n
Prince Year by Year: 1977-2016 Photographs<\/h2>\n