*Patricia Kotero, known professionally as Apollonia, has resolved her legal standoff with Prince’s estate over continued use of the stage name that launched her career.
Rolling Stone reports the confidential settlement closes a dispute rooted in the 1984 film “Purple Rain,” in which Prince christened Kotero with the name while she portrayed his love interest. Court records show both sides filed a joint dismissal, each absorbing their own legal costs. Though the deal’s specifics are sealed, the estate’s concurrent decision to withdraw its trademark cancellation attempt against her “Apollonia 6” registration at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office strongly suggests Kotero emerged with her naming rights intact.
Her attorney, Daniel M. Cislo, issued a statement saying: “We are pleased to report that the case has been settled and that our client, Apollonia, is very pleased with the outcome. Apollonia is very happy that the parties can continue to honor the legacy of Prince and his musical genius. In a time of so much conflict, it is very good to see people coming together to resolve their dispute.”
Kotero launched the legal action last August, contending that representatives for Paisley Park Enterprises LLC were “attempting to steal” her name. Central to her argument was the fact that Prince had never pursued trademark protection for the Apollonia name during his lifetime. The estate assumed control of the Apollonia trademarks in June 2025 and sought to cancel her existing registrations and applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, moves Kotero argued threatened both her livelihood and personal identity.
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A January court submission described a backstage meeting at a February 2016 Oakland concert where Prince expressed clear support for her continued use of the name. “During our conversations that evening, Prince was adamant that we continue with our ventures such as musical performances, merchandising, and audiovisual projects, and that he wanted us both to use our Apollonia and Apollonia 6 trademarks in order to be able to earn a living, stay creative, and be financially secure in our later years,” Kotero wrote. Fellow Apollonia 6 member Susan Moonsie was also present that evening.
Kotero was equally direct about the broader consequences she feared. “The truth is none of this litigation would have occurred if Prince were still alive,” she wrote in the filing earlier this year. “He would be appalled by the unbecoming conduct of PPE and the efforts by PPE to usurp his wishes. I do not trust PPE, and I am afraid that if PPE is able to accomplish its goal of taking the Apollonia Marks from me, my identity will be lost, my rights will be diminished, my business will be interrupted, and I will be unable to use the Apollonia marks without repercussion from PPE.”
The estate denied ever threatening legal action against Kotero, insisting trademark matters were better resolved administratively, while framing its overall conduct as a duty to protect Prince’s legacy.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Apollonia Sues Prince’s Estate Over Rights to Stage Name and Trademarks
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