Music

will.i.am is suing Pharrell's company i am OTHER, claiming he owns the copyright to "i am"

by Aaron Zorgel

photo via Complex

Rap game poindexter will.i.am is taking legal action against Pharrell Williams, suggesting that the Neptunes ringleadeer’s “i am OTHER” brand is in copyright violation of “i am,” a phrase that will.i.am claims he holds exclusive rights to.

Yeah, you read that right: will.i.am believes he owns the words “I” and “am,” or at least when they’re in direct succession.

According to official court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, will.i.am argues that Pharrell’s new logo is “confusingly similar” to his own. Will is nervous about the fact that Pharrell will be using the name and logo on clothing and other products; the documents state that “the registration of the mark . . . is likely to dilute the I AM mark and the WILL.I.AM mark.”

Pharrell filed a pretty brilliantly backhanded response to the lawsuit:

“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. 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.”

According to Pharrell, i am OTHER is a “a creative venture and way of life,” specializing in “music, film, television, apparel, tech and multimedia.” So basically, Pharrell wants his own Donda. Speaking of, do you think will.i.am expects royalties from “I Am A God”?