Pink’s lawyers have sued Pharrell Williams over his trademark of the brand name ‘P.Inc.’, citing its similarity to her stage name.
The legal paperwork filed on the singer’s behalf shows that she officially registered the ‘PINK’ trademark in 2001, and they now believe that Pharrell’s attempt to use a comparable brand could harm her business.
“[Williams’] P.Inc mark is similar to the PINK marks in sight, sound, meaning and commercial impression,” the suit claims (via Rolling Stone). “[Williams’] and [Pink’s] goods and services are identical and/or closely related. … [Williams] is likely to market and promote its goods through the same channels of trade and to the same consumers as [Pink].”
Pink’s representatives have asked the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in the US to consider their appeal after filing the papers on Thursday (April 18).
Neither Pink’s nor Williams’ representatives have responded to invitations to comment.
Pharrell is also currently in a legal dispute with his former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, after Hugo accused Williams of seeking sole control over the group’s trademarks without consulting him.
Recommended
In February, Pink was forced to pause a show in Australia after a fan went into labour mid-song. She was singing her 2023 ballad ‘Our Song’ when she noticed a group “waving for help”.
“Somebody’s having a baby?!” she exclaimed. “Oh my God!”
The star, real name Alecia Beth Moore, joked: “Is it Alecia or Alex being born? I feel like we shouldn’t be looking. Everyone give her her privacy! She didn’t just have the baby, right? Is the baby here? No, OK.”
After congratulating the woman, Pink said: “Wow, ‘Our Song’ – that was the one that did it. Wouldn’t have called that one! I thought it would’ve been ‘Get The Party Started’ or ‘Never Not Gonna Dance Again’. That’s insane.”
“I don’t even know what to say […] Good luck! It’s going to be great. You’re going to be great.”
Last year saw numerous bizarre disruptions to Pink’s live performances. In September, her show in Texas was interrupted by an anti-circumcision protestor who was subsequently removed from the venue.
A fan also threw a bag of their mother’s ashes on the stage at one of Pink’s gigs at BST Hyde Park in London, where she was also handed a giant wheel of brie – much to her bemusement.
Pink is set to bring her ‘Summer Carnival’ tour back to the UK, Ireland and Europe this June and July before embarking on a string of North American dates. Find any remaining tickets (UK/Ireland) here.