OutKast has filed a lawsuit against EDM duo ATLiens for trademark infringement over their name.
According to a report from Billboard, Big Boi and André 3000 filed the suit in Georgia federal court on Tuesday (August 20).
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“The word ATLiens was invented by OutKast. Before OutKast created it, it was not used in the cultural lexicon and did not exist,” the documents read. “Defendant’s use of the ATLiens mark is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive the public.”
OutKast first coined the term in 1996 with their sophomore album title. In their suit, they note the EDM duo didn’t begin using the name until 2012.
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“The duo comprising defendant performs with masks on, thereby concealing their identities such that consumers will mistakenly believe that the members of Defendant are one and the same with – or at least somehow connected to – plaintiff,” the document also states.
The iconic Hip Hop duo allege they tried to “negotiate an amicable resolution,” but ATLiens were unresponsive.
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In other news, André 3000 has admitted that he would like another OutKast album, but whether it will actually come to fruition remains to be seen.
In the extended version of his interview with CBS Mornings in December, 3 Stacks was asked about whether Big Boi has ever pushed him to get back together in the many years since their last effort, 2006’s Idlewild.
While revealing his longtime partner-in-rhyme has let him do his own thing, Dre still acknowledged his desire to challenge himself with rapping once again.
“No, to be honest,” he said in response to the Big Boi question. “But I think because he knows who I am and knows what gets me going, knows what inspires me, knows when I’m excited about something. So I think in that sense, he’s never pushed that issue.
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“But I’m sure like, I want another OutKast album. Yeah, like in my mind — but see, that’s the thing. That’s the human side. I want an OutKast album a long time ago.”
He continued: “And honestly for me as an individual, it would be gratifying to me to put out a solo rap situation. But not for nobody else at this point.
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“It’s for me because I actually like the challenge of, ‘How could I make this part of my life interesting and rhyme in words?’ Like, how can I do that? So yeah, it’s still a challenge. So I think hopefully with will and intent, something will happen.”
