Pharrell Williams is the subject of a claim issued by his songwriting partner, Chad Hugo. Together the two writers formed ‘The Neptunes’ and produced songs for artists including Brittney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Snoop Dog prior to Pharrell’s rise to fame as a solo star.
Hugo has issued proceedings against Pharrell on the basis Pharrell has acted in bad faith by applying to register three trade marks for ‘The Neptunes’ in his own name. Hugo claims those actions are in conflict with an agreement between the pair which governed their separation as a duo. Pharrell’s applications have been branded a “land grab in a long simmering dispute which has yet to be dissolved”.
A representative for Pharrell has claimed that there was no ill-intent behind the applications and that the writer’s goal is “to make sure a third party doesn’t get a hold of the trade mark and to guarantee Chad and Pharrell share in ownership and administration”. However, Chad Hugo alleges that Pharrell was fully aware that either Hugo or the pair’s partnership should have been included as a co-owner in the applications which were filed back in 2022.
The future ownership of The Neptunes trade mark remains to be seen.
If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact the team at McDaniels Law on 0191 281 4000 or legal@mcdanielslaw.com.
