Two of music’s most established hitmakers are facing off against each other. Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has filed a lawsuit against fellow producer/rapper Pharrell Williams over Williams’ new creative brand, “i am OTHER.” will claims he owns the copyright to the phrase, “I AM” and believes that Pharrell’s logo is “confusingly similar.”
Rolling Stone obtained court documents confirming that will.i.am believes that Pharrell’s “i am OTHER” will be used on clothing and other goods in a manner that is too similar to will.i.am’s “I AM logo.”
“The registration of the mark . . . is likely to dilute the I AM mark and the WILL.I.AM mark,” the document reads.
For his part, Williams has spoken on the conflict, and admitted that he regrets that the issue has taken this turn.
“I am disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me,” Pharrell said via statement. “I am someone who likes to talk things out. 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.”
