Pharrell Williams cites 'higher level of distinction' as he seeks dismissal of fellow singer Will.i.am's trademark lawsuit
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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
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
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
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.
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kb, London - uk, moments ago
Stupid name. Stupid person.