\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Prince<\/a> estate has rebuffed a recent lawsuit filed by singer, songwriter, and Prince music Apollonia<\/a> over the rights to her name, saying, \u201cAs is our duty, we will continue to protect and preserve Prince\u2019s assets and legacy.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tIn a lawsuit<\/a> filed earlier this week, Patricia Apollonia Kotero said the Prince estate was out of line when it claimed ownership of the \u201cApollonia\u201d trademark in June when it filed an \u201cintent-to-use\u201d application for clothing and entertainment services. Kotero said Prince himself never \u201ccontended that the name did not belong to her either personally or professionally.\u201d But she accused the estate of taking steps to cancel her trademark registrations and applications.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tIn their response on Instagram<\/a>, the Prince estate called Kotero\u2019s lawsuit \u201cfrivolous,\u201d asserting full ownership over the name. They noted that Prince gave Kotero the moniker when she played his love interest<\/a> in Purple Rain<\/a><\/em>, adding that her \u201cunwarranted lawsuit comes at the tail end of years-long disputes before the Trademark Trial & Appeal board concerning trademark registrations, in which rulings are imminent and with respect to which we have sought a settlement numerous times despite her highly unreasonable demands.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe Prince estate was, however, careful to insist that, despite claiming ownership over the Apollonia name, they \u201cnever instructed [Kotero] to cease using her adopted professional name, nor did we object to her business activities.\u201d The estate also said that they \u201crepeatedly offered [Kotero] opportunities to perform at Paisley Park using this professional name.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThe estate went on to claim that Kotero\u2019s lawsuit \u201cfails to acknowledge the cancellation\u201d of her Apollonia registration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. \u201cWe look forward to the rulings in the pending trademark proceedings and a dismissal of Ms. Kotero\u2019s recent federal action,\u201d they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tAfter posting their statement, the estate shared a handful of follow-ups in the comments, where many Prince fans appeared dismayed over their actions. The estate, however, stood firm, explaining that they had to ensure the estate would be able to keep using \u201cthe name Prince created and used in his music and in his music and films.\u201d <\/p>\n