Prince Estate Settles Trademark Dispute With 'Purple Rain' Co-Star Apollonia

The two sides have reached a confidential agreement over the rights to the Apollonia name.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering disco ball glass fragments against a deep black background, conceptually representing the resolution of a high-profile legal dispute.The settlement between Prince's estate and 'Purple Rain' co-star Apollonia allows both sides to peacefully honor the musical legacy they helped create.Los Angeles Today

After years of legal battles, Prince's estate and singer Apollonia (Patty Kotero) have reached a confidential settlement over the rights to the Apollonia name. The dispute dates back to 2018 when Prince's estate tried to trademark 'Apollonia 6,' the name of the girl group Apollonia led in the film 'Purple Rain.' Apollonia already owned the intellectual property rights to her name, leading to a lawsuit accusing the estate of trying to 'steal' her moniker. The settlement ends the legal proceedings, with the Prince estate dropping its trademark cancellation petition against Apollonia.

Why it matters

The resolution of this dispute allows both sides to continue honoring Prince's musical legacy without further legal conflict. Apollonia's name and character were integral to the success of 'Purple Rain,' one of Prince's most iconic works, so maintaining her rights to the name is important for preserving that history. The settlement also avoids a potentially precedent-setting court case over the ownership of celebrity names and likenesses.

The details

In 2018, two years after Prince's death, the star's estate filed paperwork to trademark 'Apollonia 6,' the name of the girl group Apollonia led in the film 'Purple Rain.' However, Apollonia herself already owned the intellectual property rights to her name, leading to a dispute. The Prince estate petitioned the U.S. trademark office to cancel Apollonia's ownership, sparking years of legal proceedings. Last summer, Apollonia filed a federal lawsuit accusing the estate of trying to 'steal' her name. The estate called the lawsuit 'frivolous' and said it simply wanted to peacefully co-exist with Apollonia. The settlement reached this week ends the legal battle, with the Prince estate dropping its trademark cancellation petition.

  • In 2018, the Prince estate filed paperwork to trademark 'Apollonia 6'.
  • In 2020, Apollonia filed a federal lawsuit against the Prince estate.
  • On April 8, 2026, the Prince estate and Apollonia reached a confidential settlement.

The players

Apollonia

Also known as Patty Kotero, Apollonia is the singer and actress who played the character of the same name in the 1984 film 'Purple Rain.' She has used the Apollonia name for music releases, acting credits, and a podcast hosting gig.

Prince's Estate

The business entity Paisley Park Enterprises that manages Prince's lucrative estate after the musician died without a will in 2016, leading to years of probate court infighting before the assets were split in 2022 between Prince's heirs and another entity controlled by Primary Wave.

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What they’re saying

“Apollonia is very happy with the results, and that the parties can continue to honor the legacy of Prince and his musical genius.”

— Daniel Cislo, Apollonia's Lawyer

“In a time of so much conflict, it is very good to see people coming together to resolve their dispute.”

— Daniel Cislo, Apollonia's Lawyer

What’s next

The settlement terms, including any financial payments or further ground rules for the ownership of the Apollonia name, have not been disclosed publicly.

The takeaway

This resolution allows both the Prince estate and Apollonia to continue honoring the legacy of 'Purple Rain' and Prince's musical genius without further legal battles over the rights to Apollonia's name and likeness. The confidential settlement avoids a potentially precedent-setting court case that could have impacted how celebrity names and likenesses are owned and used.