will.i.am and Pharrell Williams settle lawsuit


March 20, 2014

Pop superstars will.i.am and Pharrell Williams have settled their legal differences over the use of brand identity.In 2013, Pharrell attempted to trademark the name I Am Other, as part of his creative brand, but The Voice judge will.i.am objected saying that the name was to closely linked to his own, i.am.symbolic. 

© Photo: Getty Images

will.i.am and Pharrell Williams

In his paperwork, Pharrell originally argued that will.i.am’s name was too broad, saying: "The I Am Other mark means 'I am something else.""It certainly does not mean 'I am Will' or in any way suggest defendants' or the will.i.am mark", the paperwork went on.

The disagreement went deeper when will.i.am suggested Pharrell was known for disrespecting intellectual property, citing Pharrell’s lawsuit with Robin Thicke and the Marvin Gaye estate. Pharrell responded with the claim that will.i.am could not trademark I AM because of the existence of other brands known for this phrase, including Dr Seuss’ Ham and Eggs book. The

Happy  singer’s latest album G I R L is set for release soon and the 40-year-old has also recently been linked to Uniqlo, joining the Japanese company as a collaborator and spokesperson.

© Photo: Getty Images

Pharrell for Uniqlo Pharrell will be designing his own T-shirts and caps for men and women, which will go on sale next month. On Thursday the company offered a sneak peak at the collection, by releasing pictures of Pharrell wearing his "think other" T-shirt. The $19.90 T-shirt is a limited-edition product which will only be sold through the company’s website from 21 March. It was also recently revealed that the Grammy award winner was a shoulder to cry on for Kylie Minogue during the recording of her latest album. The pair were scheduled to collaborate together on a track but Kylie felt she couldn't keep the work date due to struggling with her emotions. After a heart-to-heart with the hip-hop guru on the studio steps, the pair got to work, and recorded I Was Gonna Cancel, which Kylie describes as "the most positive song" on her new album, Kiss Me Once.

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