Pharrell Williams and will.i.am Settle Over Trademark Lawsuit

It’s no new news that pop stars Pharrell and will.i.am have been battling over the rights to the “I Am Other” trademark, and although the careers of the two artists lead in very opposite creative directions, it now looks like the two have reached a settlement. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pharrell’s original argument in his lawsuit was that the Black Eyed Peas artist’s claim to trademark didn’t coincide with his own iamOTHER message, stating:

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’ or in any way suggest defendants’ or the will.i.am mark.

Pharrell also argued that will.i.am would have a hard time proving that he alone controlled the “I Am” trademark as there are over 140 artists who use the “I Am” construction in their moniker – including the famous Dr. Seuss character, Sam I Am. will.i.am’s counterclaim pulled references to Pharrell’s involvement in a lawsuit over Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” as well as his involvement with the Star Trak Entertainment record label,  arguing that they stood as evidence of his disrespect for intellectual property.

The two artists have since talked things out outside of court and have now reached an undisclosed settlement over the issue, which should be detailed in the near future.