Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams at the Grammys in February 2006.Photo:KMazur/WireImage
KMazur/WireImage
Chad Hugo andPharrell Williamsare locked in a legal battle over The Neptunes name.
In a trademark opposition filed last week at a federal tribunal, Hugo, 50, claims that the producer/fashion designer, 50, is “fraudulently” looking for sole control of the trademarks, which violates the pair’s agreement to split everything equally.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a rep for Williams says that they have tried to offer ownership to Hugo.
In the notice of opposition, Hugo’s attorneys claimed that the “Happy” artist had “knowingly and intentionally” filed for those trademark applications without consulting Hugo, despite being “fully aware” that his partner should have been listed as a co-owner.
“Nothing, either written or oral, provided Williams or [PW IP Holdings] with the unilateral authority to register the trademarks,” they claim in the documents.
Hugo’s attorneys allege they’ve “repeatedly” reached out to Williams' team about the issue, and that Williams' “admitted that [Hugo] is equal co-owner of the trademarks” and promised to include him — a claim that reflects a statement from Williams' rep.
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Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes at the BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles in May 2004.Theo Wargo/WireImage
Theo Wargo/WireImage
In the early 2000s, The Neptunes produced many radio hits includingSnoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,”Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,“Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” andJustin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body.”
The duo — who have been friends since they were children — were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
source: people.com
