Overview

• Patricia “Apollonia” Kotero filed a 14-page federal lawsuit in Los Angeles on Aug. 19 seeking a declaration that she owns the name and an order blocking the estate’s cancellation efforts.
• Kotero argues she has used “Apollonia” continuously since 1983 and holds registrations dating to 2016 and 2018 while invoking waiver, acquiescence and laches to defeat contract-based claims.
• Paisley Park has pursued Trademark Trial and Appeal Board cancellations since 2019 and, in June 2025, submitted an intent‑to‑use application and fresh challenges grounded in 1983–84 agreements.
• In a public statement, the estate called the suit frivolous, said her APOLLONIA registration was canceled by the USPTO, and indicated TTAB rulings are imminent after years of disputes.
• Kotero’s filing warns that if the estate prevails at the TTAB, she could be pressed to stop using the name or face infringement claims affecting performances, a podcast and merchandise.