Pharrell Williams cites 'higher level of distinction' as he seeks dismissal of fellow singer Will.i.am's trademark lawsuit

By Daily Mail Reporter

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Pharrell Williams has asked a court to dismiss singer Will.i.am's trademark lawsuit due to their different levels of achievement.

In August 2011, Williams, 40, launched a YouTube channel called I Am Other as part of YouTube's $100 million original channel project.

Will.i.am, 38, earlier this year issued a cease and desist letter informing Williams that he owned the rights to the 'I Am' element and to stop using the name.

Trademark dispute: Pharrell Williams, pictured at right in September in New York City, has responded to the trademark lawsuit filed by singer Will.I.Am, shown in September in the Big Apple
Trademark dispute: Pharrell Williams, pictured at right in September in New York City, has responded to the trademark lawsuit filed by singer Will.I.Am, shown in September in the Big Apple

Trademark dispute: Pharrell Williams, pictured at right in September in New York City, has responded to the trademark lawsuit filed by singer Will.I.Am, shown in September in the Big Apple

Williams responded by filing a federal lawsuit to block Will.i.am's efforts, and the two have been engaged in a legal tussle since.

Will.i.am. of The Black Eyed Peas said in recently filed court documents that users might get confused over the 'I Am' name because he and Williams have both 'achieved great distinction in the hip-hop world,' according to a report on Monday in TMZ.

 

Both singers have released mega hits and have worked with the top professionals in the music industry, the court documents said.

Williams said the comparisons were erroneous and alleged in court documents that Will.i.a.m has not reached the same distinction as the Frontin' singer.

Summer hit: Williams, shown in June in Los Angeles, also has been sued by Marvin Gaye's family over his recent collaboration Blurred Lines with Robin Thicke

Summer hit: Williams, shown in June in Los Angeles, also has been sued by Marvin Gaye's family over his recent collaboration Blurred Lines with Robin Thicke

Pharrell argued that because of their different levels of achievement, there would be no confusion about who's behind the 'I Am Other' channel.

The Money Maker singer also alleged that Will.i.am has an embarrassing track record for copyright infringement and claimed he was a defendant in about a dozen infringement lawsuits.

Will.i.a.m last month filed court documents that also alleged Williams had a long history of copyright infringement.

Legal remedy: Will.i.am., shown in September, has claimed users would be confused over the I Am Other channel

Legal remedy: Will.i.am., shown in September, has claimed users would be confused over the I Am Other channel

Williams allegedly co-founded a record label called Star Trak Entertainment and also has been sued by Marvin Gaye's family for allegedly stealing the late singer's Got To Give It Up for his summer smash hit Blurred Lines, according to the court documents.

Williams in the latest court filing asked that Will.i.am's lawsuit be dismissed.

He also asked that Will.i.am pay for his attorneys' fees.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Stupid name. Stupid person.

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Will I Who?

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Will.i.am's ego is nearly as big as Kanye's! Both Will.i.am and Pharrell are kind of similar in my opinion, both think they are these musical geniuses but all they have really done is had a few hit songs and then stuck to the exact same formula. All the songs sound the same! Neither are as great or revolutionary as they like to think they are!

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Two jobless idiots..... They are worried about "I am"when there are loads of homeless, hungry people in the world. Wish they were arguing about who should give more money...

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Both are overwhelmingly dependent on the creative work of others, which they then incorporate into their own 'work'. They are both awful and contribute nothing new or important.

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Will.i.am is weak for pushing this suit this far. I don't think he'll win either.

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I would never think "I Am" was related to Will.I.Am it's not a trademark it's a statement

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Team Pharrell MUCH better music and his success hasnt been something he has achieved by rammimg junk down 'the youth of todays' necks.

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im on team Kevin Roland from Dexy's midnight runners... oh sorry, it's Pharrel

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I'm on team pharell

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