Will.i.am and Pharrell are in a bizarre trademark battle over the phrase “I am.”
Rolling Stone first reported that the hit producers are involved in a trademark dispute over the similarity in Pharrell’s new creative brand, “i am OTHER.”
Court documents filed by Will.i.am said he owned the trademark to “I am” and the two are “confusingly similar.”
Pharrell released a statement saying he was “disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case” against him.
However, just today the Black Eyed Peas singer denied reports that he is suing Pharrell over the phrase.
“i.am not suing @Pharrell & i never was,” he tweeted. “what i.am doing is #iamHOME helping families keep their homes.”
Will.i.am’s lawyer Ken Hertz has also issued a statement to BBC: “will.i.am is not suing Pharrell Williams. What will.i.am has done is what any trademark owner must do to protect and maintain a trademark. This is a run-of-the-mill trademark dispute that has been going on since late last year.”
“In order to avoid weakening or losing his trademark, will.i.am has an obligation under trademark law to monitor and defend his trademarks against confusingly similar marks. will.i.am has registered several trademarks, including ‘I AM’, which is also emphasized in, and a significant element of, his professional name.
“We think their proposed trademark is too close to our registered and common law trademarks. They disagree.”
“We hope to work out a sensible compromise that will allow both parties to move forward without unnecessary acrimony.”
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Pharrell said he was disappointed with the dispute.
“I am someone who likes to talk things out and, in fact, I attempted to do just that on many occasions. I am surprised in how this is being handled and I am confident that Will’s trademark claims will ultimately be found to be as meritless and ridiculous as I do.”