Pharrell Williams accused of fraud by The Neptunes colleague Chad Hugo | Backbiting

According to Hugo, his former musical partner is trying to “fraudulently” get the exclusive right to the name and trademark of The Neptunes, writes Billboard based on legal documents.

That would violate an agreement that the producer duo made in the past to divide all revenues. Hugo’s lawyer claims that Williams committed fraud by excluding Hugo from all applications he submitted.

According to his spokesperson, fifty-year-old Williams is surprised by the lawsuit. The singer, known for the hit Happy, is said to have contacted Hugo several times. According to the spokesperson, Williams wants to share ownership and jointly manage the trademark. The legal steps taken to this end are allegedly intended to prevent a third party from obtaining the trademark.

But the paperwork Williams filed indicates otherwise, Hugo’s attorney says. “If Williams’ intention was to include Hugo in the application, he should have registered it in the name of their joint company and not in his own name.”

The duo is known for their hits, among other things Hot in Herre from Nelly, Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake, Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani and Drop It Like It’s Hot by Snoop Dogg. In 2002, the artists were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame together. Two years later they won the Grammy for best producer of the year.