Black-Eyed Peas man threatens legal action
Andrew Trendell

15:55 26th June 2013

More about:

Will.i.am has threatened Pharrell Williams with legal action over his use of the words 'I Am' in branding as the Black Eyed Peas man finds it 'confusingly similar' to his own name. 

Pharrell has a creative brand called 'i am OTHER', and Will.i.am has taken issue with the name and logo. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Will.i.am's legal notice argues that the moniker is far too similar to his own: "The registration of the mark is likely to dilute the I AM mark and the WILL.I.AM mark."

Legal representatives for Pharrell and 'i am OTHER' have since filed an answer to Will.i.am's notice denying all such claims.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Pharrell argued: "I am disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me. I am someone who likes to talk things out and, in fact, I attempted to do just that on many occasions."

He continued: "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 is yet to respond to the press.


Pharrell has denied all of Will.i.am's legal claims

Last week, the NERD and Neptunes frontman posted a picture of himself with Jay-Z on Facebook, suggesting that he is likely to appear on his upcoming album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. 

 Below - The coolest men in music: Pharrell, Bowie and more

  • Frank Ocean: Whether it's making damn sexy R&B revival music, or being honest about his sexuality on debut album Channel Orange, Ocean goes about all his business with the same class and style.

  • Daft Punk: The coolest robots on earth (or anywhere else in the universe, we suspect), Pharrell was willing to play tambourine to get involved in the duo's new album. What does that tell you?

  • Jai Paul: In most part cool due to the serious lack of information about him, Jai Paul's still to arrive album is perhaps the most hyped unreleased material ever.

  • Josh Homme: Josh Homme's coolness is evidenced by the vast amount of respected musicians desperate to work with him, either on QOTSA albums or otherwise.

  • Pharrell Williams: Just the coolest man in the world at the moment, with everyone clambering over each other to be able to include his name in their album credits - oh yeah, and then there's 'that' Daft Punk track of course...

  • Jesse Rutherford (The Neighbourhood): The tattooed mastermind behind Californian band The Neighbourhood, Rutherford's calm demeanour and careful planning make him one of the coolest new arrivals in music.

  • David Bowie: Cooler than almost anyone else, Bowie's been cool across four decades. Pretty much no one can say that.

  • Archie Marshall (King Krule): Releasing under a number of monikers and drawing praise from all quarters, Marshall continues to casually go about his business.

  • A$AP Rocky: The hottest property in rap at the moment, A$AP's forward thinking views and wide reaching collaborations lift him about his peers.

  • Flying Lotus: Steven Ellison's brand of experimental laptop electronica is instantly cool and has an uncommon cross-genre appeal

  • Theo Hutchinson (Hurts): Image isn't everything, but it also isn't nothing and the Hurts frontman's ability to pull of a suit and buttoned up shirt in any weather is something to behold.

  • Oliver Sim (The xx): Carrying himself with a quiet dignity, The xx's Oliver Sim represents a very British sort of cool.

More about:


Photo: WENN