Outkast Trademark Company Sues Ovrkast. Over Rapper’s Stage Name

Outkast Ovrkast lawsuit places two generations of hip hop in a federal trademark dispute, with the Atlanta duo’s company alleging that Ovrkast. breached an agreement to change his stage name.

ATLANTA — The company that controls Outkast’s trademark rights has filed a federal lawsuit against rapper and producer Ovrkast., alleging that his stage name infringes the celebrated Atlanta duo’s trademark and violates an earlier agreement to adopt a different name.

High Schoolers LLC, controlled by André 3000 and Big Boi, filed the complaint September 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

The complaint accuses Ovrkast., whose legal name is Silas Wilson, of trademark infringement, unfair competition, dilution and breach of contract among a series of claims. The allegations have not been adjudicated.

A Dispute Over Two Similar Names

According to the complaint, Wilson previously agreed to move away from the Ovrkast. name and use “Overkxst,” but continued releasing and promoting music under Ovrkast.

Wilson publicly responded to the lawsuit on social media and has disputed the characterization that he reneged on an agreement.

Ovrkast. Has His Own Hip-Hop Résumé

The dispute involves an artist with an established production and recording career. Ovrkast. broke through to a wider audience through work connected with Earl Sweatshirt and has production credits involving Lil Yachty and Drake.

That history makes the case more than a dispute between a famous legacy act and an unknown performer. It raises a practical question about how close artist names can be when both operate in the same commercial music space.

Outkast’s company is seeking court relief over the disputed name. The case remains pending, and the claims in the complaint should not be treated as findings by the court.

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