In a legal showdown that has captured the attention of music fans and trademark lawyers alike, avant‑garde singer‑songwriter FKA Twigs (real name Tahliah Debrett Barnett) has filed a lawsuit against the indie twin‑sister duo The Twigs, demanding a court declaration that she can register her own trademark and that the band must cease sending her cease‑and‑desist letters. The dispute centers on the similarity of their names and the potential for consumer confusion.
The Backstory of the Name Clash
FKA Twigs first rose to prominence in 2011 with the release of her debut single “Two Weeks,” a track that showcased her ethereal vocals and experimental production. Her stage name, an abbreviation of “FKA” (formerly known as) and “Twigs,” was chosen to reflect her artistic identity. Meanwhile, the indie duo The Twigs—composed of twin sisters Laura and Linda Good—began performing under that name in the early 2000s, releasing a handful of EPs and gaining a modest following in the underground scene.
In 2014, the Good sisters filed a trademark claim against FKA Twigs, alleging that her use of the name infringed on their earlier registration. The case was voluntarily dismissed by FKA Twigs, who then stepped back from the public eye for a period. After more than a decade had passed, the duo resurfaced and began sending FKA Twigs cease‑and‑desist letters, demanding that she stop attempting to register the trademark for “FKA Twigs.” They argued that the similarity of the names could cause confusion among consumers and that their prior claim gave them priority.
Legal Maneuvers and Trademark Claims
FKA Twigs’ lawsuit, filed in a federal court, seeks a declaratory judgment that she has the right to register and use her own name without interference. She argues that the Good sisters’ claim is stale, having been abandoned for over ten years, and that the two acts operate in distinct musical niches with no overlap in branding or marketing. She further contends that the public is unlikely to confuse her avant‑garde persona with the indie pop sound of the twin‑sisters.
Key points in her argument include:
- She has been actively using the name “FKA Twigs” since 2011, establishing a strong brand identity.
- The Good sisters’ trademark claim was voluntarily dismissed and has not been renewed.
- There is no evidence of consumer confusion; surveys
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