Last week, Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am. launched legal action against Pharrell Williams regarding the Neptunes super-producer's newly launched creative brand i am OTHER. Now, Pharrell has responded to the rapper's notice of opposition with a lawsuit.
Will.i.am. initially claimed that i am OTHER was too similar to his own I AM mark, so he tried to block Pharrell from trademarking the brand for fear that it would dilute his own line of products. In the new lawsuit, Pharrell claims that his use of the words "I Am" is completely different.
According to the papers, which were filed in New York court and obtained by TMZ, Will.i.am. uses the words as a playful pun on his name, à la Sam-I-Am from Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. The suit explains, "In contrast, the I Am Other mark means 'I am something else,' leaving what that 'else' is to the imagination of the consumer. It certainly does not mean 'I am Will.'"
Pharrell is hoping to acquire written permission from a judge to continue using i am OTHER. Will.i.am. hasn't yet issued a public response.
"I am disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me," Pharrell previously told Rolling Stone. "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."
Will.i.am. initially claimed that i am OTHER was too similar to his own I AM mark, so he tried to block Pharrell from trademarking the brand for fear that it would dilute his own line of products. In the new lawsuit, Pharrell claims that his use of the words "I Am" is completely different.
According to the papers, which were filed in New York court and obtained by TMZ, Will.i.am. uses the words as a playful pun on his name, à la Sam-I-Am from Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. The suit explains, "In contrast, the I Am Other mark means 'I am something else,' leaving what that 'else' is to the imagination of the consumer. It certainly does not mean 'I am Will.'"
Pharrell is hoping to acquire written permission from a judge to continue using i am OTHER. Will.i.am. hasn't yet issued a public response.
"I am disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me," Pharrell previously told Rolling Stone. "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."
