Outkast Files Lawsuit On EDM Duo For Trademark Infringement

DJJAYERICAAugust 25, 202400575

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Outkast Files Lawsuit On EDM Duo For Trademark Infringement

Billboard is reporting that the legendary hip-hop group Outkast allegedly filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against an EDM duo, ATLiens, for using the term popularized by the Atlanta rap icons as their namesake. ATLiens is the exact name of one of Outkast’s most iconic albums, released in 1996. ATLiens, was a term invented by the rap duo, directly correlating to the members Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin), Atlanta native roots, and unique creative artistry.

Outkast’s lawyers allegedly filed the suit last Tuesday in Georgia federal court. “The word ATLiens was invented by OutKast. Before OutKast created it, it was not used in the cultural lexicon and did not exist,” the group wrote via their lawsuit. Outkast further claims the EDM group, using the term, “is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive the public.”

Big Boi and Andre of OutKast Kevin Winter/ImageDirect via Billboard

ATLiens Legal Team Speaks

The defendant’s legal team states the EDM group has been using the namesake ATLiens since 2012 as a music duo, later legally registering the trademark. However, Outkast claims they had not heard of the EDM group, ATLiens until recently. In their accusations of infringement, the rappers clarified that the names are identical and used largely for the same thing, specifically being music groups from Atlanta making music of a similar genre, which could cause confusion. Read more information surrounding this story on Billboard.

With this news breaking, could it be a sign that Outkast is gearing up to create a new album? Fans eagerly await the day Big Boi and André 3000 reunite musically after over a decade of hiatus. André 3000 made his latest musical contribution by releasing his flute-based album, ‘New Blue Sun,’ last year. During an interview, 3 Stacks stated he would be open to collaborating with his groupmate Big Boi to make another album.

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