Patricia “Patty” Kotero—known to fans worldwide as Apollonia—starred in Prince’s iconic 1984 film Purple Rain. For over 40 years, she has built a career under that name. Now, she has filed a lawsuit against Prince’s estate, claiming ownership of the “Apollonia” name and trademark.
Prince gave Kotero the name when casting her in Purple Rain. She performed as Apollonia in that film, formed the group Apollonia 6 in the mid-1980s, and continued her career using the name. Kotero hosts the podcast Apollonia Studio 6 (launched in 2022), and a Purple Rain musical—featuring a character named Apollonia—is set to premiere in Minneapolis in October before heading to Broadway.
What Is the Lawsuit About?
Patty argues that she has used the “Apollonia” name for decades—in films, television, music, podcasts (Apollonia Studio 6), and branding—and that Prince himself gave and encouraged her adoption of that name. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeks a court declaration affirming that she owns the trademark rights to “Apollonia.” She also asks for an injunction to stop Prince’s estate from interfering with her use of the name.
What Prompted the Legal Action?
In June 2025, Prince’s estate—Paisley Park Enterprises—filed its own trademark application for “Apollonia,” covering clothing and entertainment services. The estate also moved to cancel Kotero’s existing trademark filings Kotero asserts that the estate’s action threatens her identity and business, as she fears they could bring a trademark infringement lawsuit if she continues using her professional name.
Kotero’s attorney, Dan Cislo, said she “fully expects to prevail in protecting her name”. Prince’s estate called the suit “frivolous” and “unwarranted.” They point out that Kotero’s registration was canceled at some point, that they offered her settlements, and that they never asked her to stop using the name during Prince’s lifetime.
This breaks my heart because I love Prince and Apolonia, but when it comes to entertainment law, liking somebody doesn’t go as far as the legalities. This case touches on key issues in entertainment law—trademark ownership, rights of artists to use a name tied to their identity, and posthumous control by estates. It also highlights how an artist’s long-standing professional identity can clash with estate or legacy management.
