Fed Up, Pharrell Sues Will.i.am Over 'I AM'

July, 2013 (Reuters) – Music producer Pharrell Williams filed a lawsuit Monday asking a U.S. court to rule he has not violated any trademark that Black Eye Peas rapper will.i.am owns for the phrase “I AM.”

The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, said that will.i.am, whose real name is William Adams, has repeatedly sent letters to Williams demanding he stop using versions of the phrase “I AM” on a website founded by Williams, iamother.com.

The website, according to the lawsuit, focuses on “encouraging individuality through different forms of expression.”

Trademarks owned by Williams’s company, I Am Other Entertainment, do not have periods between the “i” and the “am,” while those owned by will.i.am do, the lawsuit said.

Further, the lawsuit claimed, will.i.am‘s trademark for “I AM” covers clothing and is “relatively weak” because similar trademarks already exist.

An attorney for will.i.am was not immediately available for comment.

The lawsuit asked the court to declare that the phrase “I Am Other” does not “infringe, dilute or unfairly compete” with will.i.am, said Brad Rose, counsel for Williams.

Williams is part of the musical duo The Neptunes and has collaborated with artists including Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and Jay-Z.

The Black Eyed Peas have sold more than 31 million albums, according to will.i.am‘s website.

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Good for him. Will is being an ass and greedy as heck to think he owns the words, "I AM".

 

Agreed. This is a ridiculous complaint/bid for attention.

 

What Pharell wants to embody...

..yet Will wants to shut him down. :smt102

*************

MANIFESTO

i am OTHER

By Pharrell Williams


I serve and represent the OTHERS because I am one myself.

OTHERS defy expectations and stereotypes. We are curious, ambitious, energetic and have every intention of squeezing the most out of life. Above all, we are individuals.

OTHERS don’t fit into categories. We are not jocks. Or skaters. Or musicians. Or students. Or technologists. Or audiophiles. We want to be all of the above and then some.

OTHERS are a diverse group of optimistic, bright minds connected by technology and a desire to make our mark, who together can advance culture and even humanity.

OTHERS are not defined by demographics or geography. We have shared ideals, dreams and a vision for a new reality.

OTHERS believe individuality is the new wealth. Experiences are the new assets to acquire. Whoever is the most individual wins.

i am OTHER celebrates people who push society forward. The thinkers. The innovators. The outcasts. History has proven that it’s the rule breakers who have the power to change the world.

Be OTHER.

http://iamother.com/manifesto

 

I knew I loved Pharrel for a reason. I've had his despicable me on repeat since last night.

 

Don't give a shit about either, but fuck william.

 

Will.I.am is wack and sucks as a producer.

 

and yet he is getting paid. its unbelieveable.

he is just a party man...thats all

 

Got to take up for Will. Cats hate on him because they don't like the style of music he does. Thats cool. Not all music is for all people. But, that's subjective and should never be taken as measurement of talent.

Example: I like Prince. Dude literally is a one man band. Plays everything, writes everything, sings everything, produces everything. So, anyone who doesn't do all that sucks. I say that because that's the type of artist I like.

That doesn't sound quite right does it? That's because it isn't. It would be very musically closed minded for me to believe that and I'd miss on some great music if I felt that way.

In addition, Will is a cool dude. Met him after a Timbaland show in 2010 or 11, I think. Not only did he spend about 20 mins sharing music biz knowledge with me, he went out of his way to introduce me to Doug E. Fresh. Don't know what kind of dude Pharell is but I don't know too many superstar producers who would've done that. Made some great connects that night because of Will I. Am.

What all this has to do with the "I Am" case is less than zero. ...lol

It's just when I see cats say Will I Am is this or that I have to comment. You don't get to his level of success by being a bum. It just doesn't happen. One or two hit singles, okay. I could agree. But, hit after hit after hit and then some requires real talent and skill. Don't think so? Quit your day job and get rich making music. ...lol